Kirtland AFB volunteers made a difference in 2010

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  2010 was a big year for volunteerism at Kirtland Air Force Base. Hundreds of Team Kirtland people provided tens of thousands of hours of service throughout the year. Children, education, the environment, active-duty Airmen and their families, wounded warriors, veterans, retirees and a broad spectrum of charities were among the causes benefiting from the generosity.

"The volunteer spirit is alive and well at Kirtland - the proof is all around us. I am proud to serve with people of such exceptional character, whose actions show that being good wingmen and serving others continues to be a vital part of Air Force culture. Even in their off-duty time, they put service before self - they are living the Air Force's core values," said Col. Robert Maness, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing.

Many Team Kirtland individuals and organizations performed volunteer activities in 2010. This compilation is not comprehensive, but is based on the best available data.

Achievements
· Key Spouses: 9,000 hours linking families and commanders, helping to meet the needs of Airmen and their families.
· Thrift Shop: 8,800 hours to operate the Base Thrift Shop, receiving, inventorying, stocking and selling items.
· Base American Red Cross volunteers: 7,400 hours to the pharmacy and Hearts Apart activities.
· Kirtland Officers Spouses Club: More than 7,000 hours to the community raising funds for scholarships, supporting numerous base activities.
· Retiree Activity Office: 3,880 hours supporting more than 13,000 retirees, including sponsorship of an Annual Retiree Appreciation Day, operating the office and answering questions.
· Base Chapel: More than 2,000 hours reading scripture, ushering, counting funds, teaching young children during services, and bringing food for fellowship and Supper & Stripes Nights.
· Airman & Family Readiness Center: 1,985 hours supporting activities and events, greeting customers, signing up individuals for workshops and classes, setting tables and chairs for functions.
· Volunteer Income Tax Assistance: 850 hours helping active-duty military and retirees in preparing their income tax returns.

The Company Grade Officers Council provided nearly 400 hours of community service projects. CGOC members participated in the Guest Chef Program at Albuquerque's Ronald McDonald House, providing meals for 65 residents whose children are undergoing long-term treatment at nearby hospitals. They also adopted a mile of I-25, cleaning up the roadside at least quarterly; donated proceeds from fundraisers to Blue Star Mothers, Kirtland Boy Scout Troop 85 and Kirtland Girl Scout Troop 10115; worked with the Girl Scouts at the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico; and, along with the Rising 6, welcomed World War II veterans, transporting them from the airport to their reunion.

Environmental attention
After joining the Adopt-A-Trail program in the Sandia Ranger District, Airmen from the 898th Munitions Squadron cleaned up the 10K trail in the Sandia Mountains.

Employees of the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate's Integration and Operations Division and 377th ABW Information Protection office cleaned, landscaped and painted a shed at a local church as part of "Make a Difference Day."

Helping children
Base volunteers also focused on doing good things for kids.

Airmen from Team Kirtland took part in the Air Force Research Lab's annual La Luz Academy Mars Mission, which drew students from all over New Mexico to the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Volunteers in the Albuquerque Reads program helped 600 kindergarten children read at higher level.

Kirtland AFB Airmen were Science Fair judges at Sandia Elementary School, and took part in the "School to World" event at the Albuquerque Convention Center, talking about careers with 1,725 students, 374 parents, chaperones, teachers and siblings.

The Space Development and Test Wing held a Halloween celebration for more than 120 students at Kirtland Elementary School. SDTW also brought truckloads of children's toys and clothing to Kirtland Elementary School. Christmas contributions for each family included a new toy and complete outfit for each of the 110 children, and a $25 gift card for each family.

The Kirtland Fire Department put on its annual "Christmas Cheer" program, which included dinner, gifts for children and entertainment for more than 2,000 people.

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Operations Directorate delivered donated bicycles and scooters to the Airman's Attic and First Sergeants Council Holiday Toy Drive.

The Marine Corps Reserve unit at Kirtland AFB conducted its annual "Toys for Tots" campaign, collecting and distributing new toys to underprivileged children in the community.

Outreach for those in need
Senior leaders at Kirtland AFB served a Thanksgiving meal to Airmen, their families and retirees at the Thunderbird Inn Dining Facility.

Staff members of the Air Force Research Laboratory provided a Thanksgiving meal to students and faculty at the Combat Rescue Officer/Pararescue schoolhouse.

The Kirtland First Sergeants Council built on a strong tradition of caring for Airmen and their families, including the following contributions to morale and well-being:
· Oversaw the Airman's Attic, coordinating funding and volunteer staffing. The Attic provided more than 20,000 items to nearly 2,300 military families, raised $1,400 for toys and provided 800 toys to nearly 200 Air Force dependent children during the annual holiday Toy Drive, as well as more than 2,400 toys throughout the year.
· Managed the Kirtland Dorm Room of the Quarter program; $400 to winners raised morale
· Raised $900 cash and $400 in supplies for "Babies in Need" program, providing diapers/wipes/formula to families
· Coordinated car donation worth $3,000 to Airmen in need; vetted list of potential recipients and provided car to single mother
· Conducted Kirtland Holiday Food Drive; collected more than $6,000 in donations; provided meals to 260 families
· Spearheaded "Operation Warm Heart" fundraisers; collecting $5,000; provided emergency relief money to 40 Airmen, as well as food baskets and turkeys
· Worked four fundraiser auctions; raised $250,000 for local charities and $4,000 for Kirtland First Sergeant Association
· Provided a 65-inch HD television worth $3,000 for Airman's Attic Holiday Raffle; brightened holiday for junior enlisted family

The Kirtland Against Drunk Driving program featured 250 volunteers who drove nearly 5,000 miles to provide safe rides to 774 members of Team Kirtland.

The Kirtland AFB annual holiday cookie drive provided an opportunity for everyone on base to bake cookies for Airmen in the dorms. The first sergeants and squadron representatives delivered cookies.

Deployed, wounded and retired
The staff of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center built care packages each quarter for the organization's deployed Airmen, with direction from the AFOTEC Key Spouse program. The packages contained snacks, books, DVDs, personal hygiene items, and cards and notes signed by family and friends.

In the wake of two wars, the Kirtland AFB installation commander issued a proclamation declaring October as "Wounded Warrior Month," and initiated a series of events to honor wounded warriors, including a luncheon, a golf tournament and a triathlon. The latter two events combined raised more than $5,800 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Retirees were another category of people who received the attention of volunteers.

Kirtland AFB's "Retiree Appreciation Day" at the Mountain View Club featured presentations on topics of interest to those who served at least 20 years.

Beyond the gates
Support to off-base causes included the Roadrunner Food Bank, which received volunteer help preparing food shipments and stocking shelves from Team Kirtland the fourth Saturday of every month; and at the League of United Latin American Citizens Veterans Day Breakfast, more than 50 Team Kirtland Airmen participated in a 50-flag ceremony at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

The annual Combined Federal Campaign generated $483,352 in pledged donations from Team Kirtland, exceeding the base's goal and helping a multitude of charitable agencies.
Notably, the 377th Medical Group raised more than $2,300 in donations for six Airmen to have their hair shaved into a number or letter to form "377 MDG."