Airmen’s Attic: The store with more for less

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Tucked away at one of the entrances to the housing area is a place that could become a favorite hot spot for young families just getting started. Housed in building 4000 with the family child care provider's offices is the Airmen's Attic - a "store" that specializes in gently used clothing and household items. The best part about shopping in this "store" is that everything there is free.

"It is important for us to offer this service to our families because sometimes people are in need," said Master Sgt. Ricky Woods, NCOIC of the Airmen's Attic. "Most have too much pride to ask for help and providing these services for individuals to come in and shop, get the things they need if they are available and pay nothing with no questions asked, is good for everyone."

All of the items in the Airmen's Attic have been donated by other Air Force families who no longer have a use for them. Items range from dishes and glassware to knick knacks and collectibles, jewelry, recreational items, televisions and electronics, to children's clothing, adult clothing and even military uniforms.

"You name it. If it's been part of a household, it's probably been part of the Airmen's Attic at some point, as well," Sergeant Woods said.

The items are available on a first come, first served basis. Shoppers must show a valid military identification card when they enter the building and they must sign in. If they find items they want or need, they annotate the number of items they take with them when they sign out. It's that simple.

The Airmen's Attic is staffed solely by volunteers. Management and oversight is provided by the 341st Operations Group but the success of the operation depends on volunteers. Anyone interested in helping out at the attic can call Sergeant Woods at 731-4041 or e-mail him at ricky.woods.2@malmstrom.af.mil. For those with access to the 10-day share drive, there is a volunteer sign-up sheet located there in a folder titled Airmen's Attic. Right now, the hours of operation are Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those are also the times people with donations can come by to drop them off. However, if those times are not convenient, other arrangements can be made by calling Sergeant Woods at the number above.

March 4, numerous volunteers from the 341st OG converged on the attic and gave it a good spring cleaning.

"I've known about the Airmen's Attic for quite some time and used it myself earlier in my career," said Staff Sgt. Michael Fellows, 341st OG. "Now I like to help out so other young families just getting started have a place they can go to, as well."

Fellow Operation Group member Tech. Sgt. Jason Halvari agreed that he used the Airmen's Attic early on and found it very useful.

"It is a good thing to have around for our young Airmen," he said. "It's good that we can help them out if they need it."

"The Airmen's Attic has always been a showcase area for the Malmstrom Air Force Base community," said Col. Mohammed "Mo" Khan, 341st OG commander. "It has evolved from a smaller entity to what we have now."

Once housed in just one small room, the Airmen's Attic now occupies a much larger space with three distinct shopping areas - one for household items, one for children's items, and one for adult clothing and accessories.

"Our primary focus is obviously to service the troops and their families on base," Colonel Khan said. "But we also service the downtown service organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill. If items don't seem to be moving for us here, we pass them along in hopes someone downtown can put them to good use."

"It's great to be able to do something for the community - both our own and downtown," Sergeant Woods said. "The Airmen's Attic does that."