Airmen build opportunity to combine volunteerism and training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega
  • 944th Fighter Wing
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Civil Engineer Squadron seized another opportunity to provide quality training for their Airmen and contribute to the Luke Air Force Base community during the August Unit Training Assembly.

Senior Airman Donald Mcguire, 944th Civil Engineer Squadron structure specialist, became the driving force for two major projects at the bases Airman's Attic, a non-profit volunteer and donation based organization.

It all began when Mcguire volunteered at the Airman's Attic through an internship program for his service learning project with Glendale Community College as part of his Masters Degree program in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from Arizona State University.

"I had anticipated that I would mainly be sorting through donated items and stocking them on the shelves," said Mcguire. The experience turned out to be more than he anticipated and by the time his required 45 hours of volunteer service was complete he had developed and was in charge of two major construction improvement projects.

"SrA Donald McGuire has become a very valuable asset at the Airman's Attic. Had we known his capabilities we would have tapped into his skills a long time ago," said Katrina Garza, manager of the Airman's Attic. "Without SrA McGuire's knowledge and skills we would still be in the talking and planning phases of our current projects."

The first project Mcguire developed was an enclosed child care area, dubbed "the Kid Zone". The Kid Zone is a place for kids to play while their parents either shop or volunteer at the Airman's Attic. The construction of the project began on August 3rd and is projected to be completed by the end of the month.

The second project he under took was an addition to the Airman's Attic that would add retail space and provide room for a new non-profit organization called Cinderella and Prince Charming's Closet.

Cinderella and Prince Charming's Closet is a place where new Airman can rent uniforms and dresses for graduations, proms, weddings, and Air Force ceremonies or balls. Normally, dress uniforms can cost an Airman up to five hundred dollars, Cinderella's Closet will allow Airman the opportunity to attend these events without the added expense.

The Cinderella and Prince Charming's Closet project began on August 1st and is expected to be done today.

"We seize any and all opportunities to train and hone our skills," said Anthony Harback, 944th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of operations, about the 944th's involvement with the Airman's Attic projects. "This is one of those perfect opportunities as a tenant unit, to integrate with and assist our host community and gain valuable training at the same time."