Airman's Attic has new coordinator, new hours

  • Published
  • By Steve Milligan
  • Nucleus Staff
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  The Airman's Attic on M Street across from Outdoor Recreation has a new coordinator. Her name is Wendy Wendler and she has been quite involved in volunteer work during her years as a military spouse in addition to raising two children. 

"Since the kids are driving age now and out and about a lot, I had some time to take on some additional duties, so to speak," Ms. Wendler said. "I just love helping the younger Airmen and their families. We are like one big family here on base regardless of rank. I hate using the cliché 'been there, done that' but I have," she said. "In my 20 years as a military spouse, we've been stationed all over the world and we've been where these younger Airmen have been and know the struggles they face and my goal is to help them." 

Her husband is Master Sgt. Thomas M. Wendler with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency here. He is an additional duty first sergeant and she is a DTRA Key Spouse and acts as a liaison between first sergeants and commanders when family issues like deaths, financial matters and other things come up that leadership needs to be aware of. 

She is no stranger to issues like this because prior to meeting her husband, she was a deputy sheriff. She is also a member of the Kirtland Enlisted Family Network so she has a lot of experience and an obvious heart for people. 

If you've ever been in the Airman's Attic, you can already see the transformation that has taken place since she started working there. It is very organized and she has established new hours, which she said would be manned during those times. She has seven volunteers already signed up to help so there will always be somebody there during the hours posted. In addition, according to Ms. Wendler, many military units on base, through their first sergeants, volunteer on Saturdays as a community service. 

There are many items available in the Airman's Attic such as children's and adult clothing, uniforms, toys, games, electronics, small appliances, dishes, computers and computer peripherals. They also have seasonal items like Christmas trees and ornaments and decorative items such as wall hangings and pictures and lots of knickknacks. 

Donated items can be dropped off during business hours only which are; Tuesday and Thursday from 2-7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, Ms. Wendler asks that you please not bring any clothing items in until further notice, as they have too many. 

Ms. Wendler cited a recent event where an Airman's computer monitor blew up and he was low on cash and decided to check out the Airman's Attic. There were several monitors to choose from and he left a happy camper. 

Everything in the Airman's Attic is donated and is available to Airmen E-5 and below at no charge. There is an all ranks day the last Saturday of every month. 

So, if things are tight and there is something you need or maybe a nearly new toy would make that little one really happy, the Airman's Attic is the place to go.