Team McChord Airmen enhance community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Airmen from the 627th Air Base Group participated in a Day of Service in Thurston County, Washington Oct. 27, volunteering at 10 different locations.

 

This is the third year Airmen have participated in the event to help improve the local community.  

 

"We are being ambassadors in the community; anytime we can do this is always good," said Master Sgt. George Phinn, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge and event coordinator. "It's always good to give back because we never know when we might be in need of help."

 

200 Airmen volunteered more than 1,000 hours of labor and $20,000 value worth of work. Airmen performed a variety of jobs including grounds clean-up, sorting of food and environmental restoration.

 

"It feels good to help out in the community; we are making this place look better," said Airman 1st Class Alexis Faucett, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator. "This is good to get to know people I work with in a different environment."

 

This year’s organizations consisted of Thurston County Food Bank, Thurston County Fairgrounds, City of Tumwater Public Works, City of Tumwater Parks, City of Waldorf School, City of Lacey Water Resources, HomeFirst, South Sound Reading Foundation, Nisqually Land Trust and For Heaven's Sake animal rescue.      

 

Members of the community were thankful for the help of the Airmen and praised their hard work.

 

"Having the extra hands to complete the tasks we can't do really makes a big difference,” said Jason Miller, Thurston County Fairgrounds facilities manager. "Some of the projects they've worked on might not have been completed without their help.”

  

”Many of our volunteers are elderly so it's good to have the able bodies of service members," said Heather Sundean, Thurston County Food Bank manager. "Having a crew that can tackle this amount of work makes a big difference."

 

According to Sundean, the help from the Airmen made a big difference at the food bank, which serves more than 50,000 people annually and depends almost solely on help from volunteers. Airmen sorted more than 7 pallets equating to more than 6,000 pounds of food.       

 

"This is going to make a difference for those that utilize the food bank,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin James, 627th Force Support Squadron sustainment superintendent. “The community really helps out the military and it's important we support one another."

 

Impacting various areas of Thurston County and numerous members of the community, Airmen were thanked by Thurston County commissioners for volunteering.

 

“This means a lot to us. Thank you so much for what you’re doing,” said Bud Blake, Thurston County commissioner. “You are serving not only on a national level but also on a local level.”