Airman’s Attic helps cut Airmen monetary expenses

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Shelf after shelf of dishes and kitchen utensils. 

Row after row of adult and children's clothing. 

All sitting, waiting to be used, again, at the Airman's Attic. And the best part about this mart of supplies: it's all free. 

Two days a month, the normally hushed old building becomes a place of exchange. 

People bring in their used goods, and others, Airmen E-4 and below, can take whatever they need to get by. The Airman's Attic, ran by the Rising 6 private organization, offers pocket relief with its service of acting as a liaison between people giving items they no longer need and Airmen who need items for themselves and their home. 

"The Airman's Attic helps people because it makes it so Airmen who need items don't have to reach into their pocket and incur big expenses," said Tech. Sgt. David Bedner, Rising 6 president. "It's important now more than ever with the economy the way it is."
About nine Rising 6 members volunteer days each month to run the attic. 

While open, people can donate items and Airmen can shop. The attic averages about 40 shoppers a day. 

"All the items are free and the Airmen do not have to bring the stuff back; it's theirs," Sergeant Bedner said. 

Items such as appliances, toys, civilian and military clothing, sporting goods and books are offered at the attic. 

"The program is a good way to help other Airmen," Sergeant Bedner said.  "[Noncommissioned officers] have been in young Airmens' shoes so they know how expensive it is to set up a home on their income." 

The attic is open the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to noon. 

For more information on the Airman's Attic, contact a Rising 6 council member or the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 773-2241.