Back to school with security forces

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron is hosting a donation drive for back to school supplies through Aug. 15.

“The idea is to be able to collect back-to-school supplies to disseminate to our squadron’s families to help offset the cost of purchased supplies,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Wiser, 341st MSFS first sergeant.

The 341st MSFS realized that children returning to school can be expensive for some families.

“When kids go back to school they can be required to have 20 to 30 school items,” said Wiser. “Sometimes families have trouble meeting that requirement, especially if the family has more than one kid. Some of our families have as many as five children.”

The donation drive doubles as a friendly competition between the squadron’s Airmen and civilians.

“In addition to collecting back-to-school supplies, we decided to make it a competition between our eight flights and back office staff,” said Wiser. “The winning flight will receive a training day off and there will also be rewards for second and third place.”

Each competitive team has a donation box to put the goods into, which will be counted at the end of the drive to determine who gave the most.

“I donated school supplies like pencils, highlighters and pens,” said Airman Bradley Calhoun, 341st MSFS defender who contributed to the squadron’s cause. “I have little brothers and sisters ranging from preschool to college age, so I know how expensive back to school can be.”

The location for the donation dropoff is in the 341st Security Forces Group training room, in the basement of Building 500.

“The back to school drive isn’t just limited to cops who want to donate,” said Wiser. “Any Airman or civilian is more than welcome to place items into our donation boxes if they want to help support families.”

According to Wiser, the donated supplies will first be disseminated to 341st MSFS families.

Once those families have been taken care of, the plan is to expand the giving to the group and then to the wing.

“I anticipate that we will far exceed the amount of supplies (341st MSFS) families will need,” said Wiser. “We already have a lot of donations and we intend to share.”

Wiser is currently collecting names of families who could use the extra help when children go back to school Aug. 31.

“The flight that wins doesn’t necessarily matter,” said Calhoun. “It’s a squadron effort. A win for a flight is the same as a win for the whole squadron. We’re here to do what we can to help.”