Stepping into the Airmen’s Attic, the room immediately felt welcoming. Racks of neatly hung uniforms line the walls, while shelves of kitchen essentials are organized and easy to browse. Everything is tidy and thoughtfully arranged, making it simple for Junior Enlisted Airmen to find exactly what they need. Volunteers move quietly between the racks, organizing the room and ready to help anyone who comes in.
For many young Airmen, military uniforms are expensive, and not everyone has the budget to buy new items. Here, Airmen can find quality uniforms and kitchen essentials free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers. “A lot of Airmen can’t afford new uniforms,” says TSgt Warren Ellis from the 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron, a volunteer who is also on the community relations committee that operates the Attic. “So when they come in here, they can get decent quality uniforms for free.”
The Airmen’s Attic is open to Airmen ranked E1 through E6, operating Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Currently, it accepts donated pre-used uniform items as well as kitchen essentials for younger Airmen moving into or out of the dorms. Donations can be dropped off during open hours, and volunteering is made easy through QR codes posted throughout the base. “There’s a QR code that is all around the base to sign up. We distribute it out. Usually, we keep one on a lot of doors around the base,” Sergeant Ellis says.
A typical day at the Attic involves Airmen browsing the racks while volunteers assist them with whatever they need. Volunteers are the backbone of the Attic, dedicating hours to sort donations, fold uniforms, and make sure every item is easy to find. “A lot of people think it’s just what people don’t want anymore,” TSgt Ellis explains, “but there are actually a lot of good uniforms in here.”
The impact of the Attic is clear. Many Airmen leave feeling a weight lifted off their shoulders, knowing they found what they were looking for without having to spend money. For Sergeant Ellis, the motivation comes from being part of the community. “I’m big into the community. I think getting involved in other people’s lives can possibly help someone out in more ways than one.”
The role has also pushed TSgt Ellis out of his comfort zone. “This allows me to open up and interact with more people,” he said, noting how different this volunteer role is than the things he’s done before.
Sergeant Ellis explained that nothing at the Airmen’s Attic goes to waste because every donation finds a purpose. For anyone considering donating or volunteering, TSgt Ellis encourages: “Do it.” Getting out there and volunteering not only helps the people in the community, but oneself as well.
Looking ahead, the volunteer team hopes to continue expanding beyond uniforms, and they are currently increasing their supply of kitchen essentials to help even more Airmen on base. The Airmen’s Attic isn’t just a storage room for uniforms and kitchen items; it’s a place that embodies the community spirit of the base. Every donation and every hour volunteered helps build a stronger, more supportive environment for those who serve.
