FTAC volunteers at Rescue Mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  He went to a rescue mission as a child.

Being so young, he thought a rescue mission was the place people came when they were hungry; a place where people came when they needed somewhere to sleep.

"Once I got older, I realized how lucky I was to get to where I am today," said Staff Sgt. Robert Lysholm, NCO in charge of the First Term Airman Center with the 341st Force Support Squadron.

Lysholm's personal connection was what sparked his idea to incorporate volunteering into the FTAC classes.

Lysholm, along with nine Airmen, gave back to the community of Great Falls by volunteering their efforts Sept. 14 at the Rescue Mission located at 326th 2nd Ave. South.

"Today, we're actually bringing food, drinks, everything, to these people instead of them having to wait in line," Lysholm said. "It's nice for them to have at least one night where they can be spoiled, where we can take care of providing their food and cleaning up after them."

The locals receiving the dinner were all smiles as trays of food were brought to them.

"When they smile and say 'thank you' it makes me feel good," said Airman 1st Class Michelle Anderson, traffic management apprentice with the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The Airmen that volunteered their time at the mission are all taking FTAC, a required class for first-term Airmen. For all nine who volunteered, Malmstrom Air Force Base is their first duty station. Lysholm presented the idea of volunteering at the rescue mission after telling the class of his personal connection with it.

"I was surprised by the number of Airmen who offered to volunteer," Lysholm said. "At first I thought I was going to get negative feedback. They all enjoyed it and many of them plan to come back on their own time after FTAC."

Anderson and Airman Cameron Isaac, missile maintenance team member with the 16th Munitions Squadron, were both volunteers from Lysholm's class. For these two Airmen, this was their first time volunteering.

"I like giving back," Anderson said. "It feels really good to help others and I leave with a positive feeling; I'm sure I will come back and volunteer here."

For Isaac, serving food at the mission was a personal experience because he, like Lysholm, often came to a rescue mission as a child.

"It's not always easy to come to these places [rescue mission], you never know when you're going to need help from someone," Isaac said. "It's a good way to help the community because I've been there."

Lysholm and members taking FTAC classes will be visiting the rescue mission every other Wednesday. The next trip is scheduled for Sept. 28 at 5:15 p.m.

Lysholm said that as long as he is the NCOIC of FTAC, volunteering at the rescue mission will be a permanent addition to the FTAC course at Malmstrom AFB.