Airman's Attic finds are one of a kind

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Airmen's Attic here is a place where Airmen and their families can make donations and also find needed items.

"We are a service for Airmen E-5 and below and their dependants," said Corey Kmon the senior spouse advisor." We provide free items to low-income airmen who need everyday items but have a limited budget. At the end of the day we are a money saver."

The goal of the Airmen's Attic is to improve the welfare the Air Force ID card holders assigned to this Air Force Global Strike base. The Attic carries furniture, household appliances, and clothing for all ages, seasonal decorations, electronics, books, toys, games and uniform items.

The Attic is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is manned by volunteers who are mostly spouses of active duty members.

"During the days that we are not open we go through donations," Kmon said. "If we were open more often, the items would be picked over and we wouldn't have as much of a selection to offer our Airmen."

In order to give everyone a fair chance at getting what they need, there is a limit to the number of items they can take. This also helps to make sure the items are actually being used and not taken elsewhere for profit.

"Getting an item is as easy as walking through the door," Kmon said. "As long as they have an ID saying them or their spouse is E-5 or below they sign in and they can take the items they want.

"The items come from donations community members give us," said Kmon. "We receive every item that could be useful to others except for large furniture due to lack of space. The items we can't use are donated to big brothers big sisters."

Aside from the Attic having household, clothing items and toys, the Attic also has a room full of uniform items for male and females and a program called the Cinderella Project.
"The Cinderella Project is a dress on loan program for all ranks active duty and their dependants," said Kmon. "We offer formal and semi-formal gowns of all colors, styles and sizes. Some dresses are brand new but most of them are donated. The only obligation of the borrower is to bring the dress back cleaned."

On a weekly basis, Kmon said they serve on average 300-350 Airmen.

"Unfortunately the building we are housed in right now is on the list for demolition," Kmon said. "Although there is no date for demolition, we worry because we non-profit so we might not get re-housed somewhere else on base."

The Airman's Attic is located on building 410 between clothing sales and the post office. For more information call (660) 687-9020.