Airman's Attic, Thrift Store hold grand re-opening

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane --  Whiteman Air Force Base's Airman's Attic and Thrift Store re-opened last week after being closed during the summer.

The Airman's Attic is open to staff sergeants and below, as well as their dependents, and offers a variety of everyday goods for free, including uniforms and other household items.

"Our goal is to help these Airmen get items they need, free of cost," said Tiffany Kalin, Airman's Attic volunteer in charge. "We run strictly off of donations and a small amount of funding from the Whiteman 'Top 3' group."

The Airman's Attic offers items such as baby strollers, chairs, clothes, shoes, toys, kitchen wares and military clothing. They will accept donations from anyone with base access as long as the items are serviceable.

"We accept nearly every donation we can get," Kalin said. "If we feel like an Airman or his or her family can use it, we will display it."

All the volunteers at the Airman's Attic are spouses who work approximately 10 to 12 hours a week.

"Both the Airman's Attic and Thrift Store are run strictly by volunteers," Kalin said. "If you would like to volunteer you can come by one of our buildings and fill out a simple application form. There is always room for extra volunteers so we will take all the help we can get. We put an emphasis on enjoying our volunteer time here while also getting the work done and helping the Team Whiteman community."

"Currently we have about eight regular volunteers and two who volunteer part-time," she said.

Kalin added they are also looking for active-duty Airmen who would like to volunteer for one night during the week.

The Airman's Attic also features the Cinderella Closet, a room with approximately 250 semi-formal and formal dresses.

"These dresses are completely free to be checked out to any active-duty dependent or Airman," Kalin said. "There is no regulation on what type of event it has to be for, and the only stipulation is they have to get the dress dry-cleaned before returning it."

The Thrift Store also offers items for members on base, and is open to all base personnel. The items are sold at discounted prices, and anyone on base can donate goods, as well.

"The Thrift Store also runs mostly off donated items," said Julie Melendez, Whiteman Officers' Spouses Club chairman and Thrift Store volunteer. "The money generated from the store goes directly to the base's spouses clubs based on the hours each club volunteered, and it goes toward charities and scholarships."

"People that would like to do consignments can bring in items to be displayed for sale on our floor for up to 90 days," Melendez said. "When these items are purchased, the Thrift Store receives 25 percent of the profit and the individual will receive the other 75 percent."

Items offered by the Thrift Store are similar to the Airman's Attic and include furniture, clothing, kitchen ware, décor, baby items, jewelry, books and videos.

Donations can be brought to the storage sheds behind either of the venues. The Airman's Attic is located next to the post office, while the Thrift Store is located in the same building as the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Both buildings are on Arnold Avenue next to the commissary.

The Airman's Attic and Thrift Store are open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.

Follow the Airman's Attic and Thrift Store on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Whiteman-AFB-Airmans-Attic and www.facebook.com/pages/Whiteman-AFB-Thrift-Store for updates and information on special events.