Volunteers: Lifeblood of the community Published July 8, 2008 By Lt. Col. Steven Carmical 30th Force Support Squadron commander VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- When you think about what it takes to keep a community functioning, your first thoughts probably lean toward the public services we all expect to be available to us. Similarly, when you think about what it takes to make a base run, you often think about civil engineers, security forces, the medical group and other agencies that provide the basics we expect when living or working on an Air Force base. There's no doubt, these agencies are essential to the quality of life we've grown accustomed to, but there's more to it than the obvious services the Air Force provides. I've come to realize there is another group of people who make the Air Force a great place to serve, work and live. That group is what we casually call "volunteers." They don't get paid for what they do and they volunteer for many different reasons. But you can probably boil their motivation down to a common theme: making life better for others. Volunteers come from different backgrounds and fill many different roles on the base, and the opportunities are as diverse as the people who fill them. You can volunteer at the clinic in several different roles or you can get involved with a spouses' group at the unit or base level. You can also volunteer to help spouses of deployed members by mowing lawns or troubleshooting their home computer. Don't forget professional organizations like Top Three, VEAT, CGOC, AF Association or NCOA whose footprints are all over the base. While there's no way to discuss all the volunteer opportunities in this short article, I'd like to highlight a few I'm familiar with. Did you know we have a Food Pantry on base? It's located in the Airman and Family Readiness Center, but is managed and supported by volunteers. The Food Pantry provides temporary assistance to families who are struggling to make ends meet. The Pantry's small staff of volunteers procures the food and manages its distribution. A big part of the procurement process involves other volunteers from around the base. Several organizations on base have provided food to the Pantry by conducting food drives. They've used different methods for collecting food, but the end result has been the same: free food for the Pantry and, ultimately, for Vandenberg families when they really needed it. If you're interested in volunteering with the Pantry or conducting a food drive, call the Pantry at 606-2960! Another agency that relies on the generosity of volunteers is the Airman's Attic. The Attic's primary function is to take household furnishings donated by one family and provide them to another. The Attic is also run solely by volunteers and relies on donations -- usually its greatest need. If you live on base, you've probably seen furniture on the curb on "big trash pickup day." Much of this furniture would be welcomed additions to the Attic's inventory. If you have furniture you're getting rid of and don't have someone you plan to donate it to, please consider the Airman's Attic. Don't assume your old furniture isn't good enough to donate. As long as it's not broken or soiled badly, the Airman's Attic can probably use it. Volunteers can also help the Attic by using their vehicles to transport furniture. People with trucks who are willing to use them to help fellow Airmen should contact the Attic. Ms. Emma Thompson recently assumed responsibility for running the Attic to include coordinating volunteers. If you want more information about the Attic, call 606-5484. Both the Food Pantry and Airman's Attic offer opportunities to volunteer your talent to the Vandenberg community on a recurring basis, but there are other opportunities that only come along periodically. The base picnic on July 4th is a great example. Approximately 50 volunteered their holiday to put the picnic together. Their efforts yielded a great event that allowed about 1,000 members of Team Vandenberg to enjoy an American tradition. Volunteer opportunities on Vandenberg are endless. Regardless of your interests or talents, there's an opportunity for everyone to get involved. If you're not sure how to find that opportunity, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Airman and Family Readiness Center by calling 606-0039. They match volunteers with organizations and will be glad to add you to their list. I encourage each of you to look for ways get involved and make Vandenberg a better place to work and live. Volunteers are the lifeblood of every community and Vandenberg is no exception. So whether you live on base, work on base or simply have an old sofa you'd like to donate to a young Air Force family, give a little of yourself and make a difference for others.