News Search

Spangdahlem Airmen's Attic adds hours, welcomes all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The Airmen's Attic here, located in the basement of Bldg. 408, will now be open Wednesday from 1 - 6 p.m.

In addition to this the extended hours on Wednesday, it's also open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

While these are the listed hours, Brenda Jones, Airmen's Attic manager, says Airmen are more than welcome to call anytime.

"If anyone is looking for anything in particular they can call us," said Manu Gilbert, Airmen's Attic volunteer. "We'll put the item on a wish list and call them back when we get it. We actually had a guy looking for a toaster and called him when one came in today."

People can also drop donations off in Bldg. 408, room eight anytime.

"If you have items you aren't using, especially military items, bring them here," Gilbert said "There are people who come here who've just permanently changed duty stations, so finding things might be difficult for them. We try to get them what they need."

Workers at the Airmen's Attic can relate to what people new to base are going through.

"I forgot to bring pillows, blankets and coats," Jones said. "This was our first PCS, and I didn't realize I needed to bring those things. The attic saved my skin, so now I pay it forward by helping others get the things they need."

The Airmen's Attic provides Airmen of all ranks with free items they may need upon arriving, to include:

· Clean clothing for adults and children
· Military clothing and items
· Shoes
· Dishes
· Strollers
· Small furniture
· Electronics
· Books
· Non-perishable food items
· Toys

"Here, it doesn't matter what rank you are, you can come and shop," Jones said. "We only have restrictions on food and electronics, which is for E-5s and below."

There are also limits on how many items can be acquired. Staff sergeants and below are limited to a maximum of 15 items per day not to exceed 50 per month. Technical sergeants and above are limited to a maximum of 15 items per day not to exceed 30 items per month.

While the Airmen's Attic is for service members and their families, on the last Thursday of every month the Airmen's Attic is open to everyone for "Grab Bag Day." On this day, customers can fill up a grocery sized bag of items that wont count toward their monthly total.

Along with taking donated items, Airmen and their families can also donate items; however, there are some items the Airmen's Attic staff won't accept. These items include:

· Used sports bottles
· Large furniture items
· Child car seats
· Cribs
· Open food packages and perishable food
· Textbooks more than 1 year old
· Any used helmets
· Flammable items
· Chemicals or cleaning products
· Tires
· Stained or torn stuffed animals
· Fast-food toys
· Broken electronics
· Outdated manuals
· Undergarments

While the staff doesn't accept large furniture, they encourage people willing to donate to call and advertise what they're giving away. The Airmen's Attic volunteers will find a home for the item, Jones said.

A new Saber family was happy to find the Airmen's Attic and search for things for their new home Oct. 28.

"We were staying in temporary lodging and are moving into a new apartment [Oct. 28]," said Darany Penales, wife of Tech. Sgt. Armando Penales, from the 726th Air Mobility Squadron. "Our household good haven't arrived from Hawaii yet, so we don't have anything right now.

We're here to see if we can find some items for cooking and cleaning, and maybe some toys for our daughter. We'll use these things and then return them once our things arrive. This is a huge help to families like us just getting here."

Whether donating, borrowing or picking up items, the Aimen's Attic is here to help Sabers feel at home in the Eifel.

For more information or to volunteer, call the Airmen's Attic at DSN 452-6422 or 06565-61-6422.