New Airman’s Council program helps students reach scholastic goals

  • Published
  • By The Airman's Council
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Members of Malmstrom's Airman's Council have come together to form a new program called Airmen 4 Education. Representing Air Force Global Strike Command as Air Force future leaders, they recently started the program designed to help students excel in their academic ambitions. The program began Sept. 20 at Loy Elementary School.

"The origination of the program began through our own aspirations, as a council, to continue in our schooling," said Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton, Airman's Council president. "It's instilled in us from an early age how important it is to further our education, and it only made sense for us to continue to encourage and support younger generations as they push for those same heights."

Airmen 4 Education is a volunteer program developed to assist elementary, middle, high school students and Airmen who are working to further their education, to reach their scholastic goals. The program includes reading to classes, helping students improve their reading skills, assisting teachers with basic lesson plans and projects, tutoring and serving as positive military role models.

"We feel so fortunate to have the support of the Airmen for our children," said Teresa Sprague, Loy Elementary School principal. "Just seeing their faces light up when the volunteers come in to read to them or work with them on flash cards is awesome and makes a big difference in their lives. We look forward to continue working with them as partners and expanding the program to meeting even more needs and helping the children excel in any way we can."

Volunteers may be Airmen, non-commissioned officers or officers and the volunteer times range between 30 minutes to an hour Monday through Friday. Sign-up is located on the Share Drive via the Airman's Council folder.

An additional part of the program includes helping Airmen cut costs of book purchases with a recycled book drive.

"Many Airmen on the installation go to school on base and take the same classes," Airman Overton said. "Once the class is over, the book basically just lies around the house and more often than not, it's forgotten. Having this recycled book drive allows for Airmen to help each other by putting those books to good use and in the hands of someone who will need them. It's a continued exchange and the more people recycle their books, the more people it can benefit."

The Airmen 4 Education recycled books bin is located in the base library.

"As Air Force members, one of our core values is excellence in all we do," Airman Overton said. "Whether or not we realize it, we have a major influence on our local community and our peers here on the base. This program allows for us to influence others to excel in all of their endeavors and realize their ability to succeed."