Airmans Attic

The Airmans Attic is a little warehouse where donated items are offered free of charge to active-duty Airmen at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. While donated items like clothing, furniture, toys, kitchen and other household items are only available to ranks E-5 and below, uniform items are free to all ranks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)

Airmans Attic

United States Air Force uniform items are displayed on clothing racks inside the Airmans Attic at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2014. The Attic receives donated uniform items and makes them available, free of charge, to Airmen of all ranks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)

Airmans Attic

Patrons browse items throughout the Airmans Attic at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2014. The Attic serves as a donation center for Airmen that may need, but are unable to afford things such as furniture, kitchen and other household items and uniforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)

Airmans Attic

Baby items and books are some items that are available to Desert Lightning Team members, with ranks E-5 and below, at the Airmans Attic at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2014. The Attic is a valuable, money saving resource available to active-duty Airmen at D-M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)

Treasures in the Attic

Published Feb. 3, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Chris Massey
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The Desert Lightning Team has a very valuable, money saving resource available to active-duty Airmen.

The Airmans Attic, a little warehouse located behind the Airman and Family Readiness Center, is a place where donated items are offered free of charge to Airmen around the base. Items include clothing, toys, furniture, kitchen and other household items, electronics, uniforms and many other things that Airmen may need, but are unable to afford.

"It's a great way to help single and married Airmen with things they need around their home," said Senior Airman Ephesians Bagorio, 355 Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production journeyman, who was able to find a baby crib his first time shopping at the Attic.

All ranks have access to uniform items in the store, but only ranks of E-5 and below have full access to any item in the Airmans Attic.

"Some Airmen are just coming from tech school, just getting married, or just moving in and don't have a lot of stuff for their home," said Airman 1st Class Paul Crawford, 25th Operational Weather Squadron graphics forecaster and a regular shopper at the Attic. "They can come here and get it for free instead of having to buy it."

In addition to item donations, the Airmans Attic reaches out to the D-M community through base social media pages for special items needed. They also receive funding though the Combined Federal Campaign.

The Attic has been able to step in and help out D-M Airmen of all ranks when unexpected hardships arise.

One such hardship involved an Airman's moving truck being stolen, while moving to D-M.

The Attic was able to open up during non-business hours and replace some of the items that were in the moving truck.

"We are able to take care of our own, especially during times when they really need it," said Master Sgt. Cassandra Phalen, 355th Fighter Wing Command Post superintendent and Airmans Attic director. "It's great being able to help the amount of people that we do with very little resources."

Donations are dropped off and kept inside two large metal storage containers outside of the Attic. Volunteers and councilmembers sort through the items on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m.

The Attic is normally open Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 p.m., but will be switching to Wednesdays, with the same hours, for the month of February. They are also open the third Saturday of each month from 9-11 a.m.