Airmen give back to giving community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A volunteer creates boxes out of pre-cut supplies. As soon as a box is complete another volunteer takes it to a staging area. Dozens like it, stacked to the ceiling of the garage like miniature, cardboard skyscrapers, await their turn to be filled with various food supplies, moved further into the garage, and sent on their way to their final destination. The entire process is a streamlined dance with no wasted movements. Most of the nearly 20 volunteers have danced this dance before.

The boxes of food supplies are donated as part of Red River Valley Community Action's commodity supplemental food program to nearly 600 people throughout the area who are unable to procure their own food.

For Senior Airman Chavis Wright, 319th Communications Squadron, this is the first time he has volunteered, and he's thankful for the opportunity to help.

"It feels good to give back to the community," he said noting how welcome he feels despite having only been stationed here for a few months.

In a different part of the garage, Senior Airman Kimberly Duenas, 319th Medical Group, fills bags with food as they parade down a set of rollers. Like Airman Wright, she is here to give back to a community that has given her so much.

"I've gone to free sporting events as part of Operation Enduring Friendship," she said referencing a popular program that gives free tickets to base members. "Helping here gives me a way of saying thank you. It also gives base volunteers the chance to work together."

This is the sixth time volunteers have helped RRVCA prepare the food bags and boxes. The opportunity began with a simple phone call.

"I was looking for a place where Airmen could help the community," said 2nd Lt. Christine Williams, 319 CS. "I picked up a phonebook and started calling places to see if they could use some help. Word got out among the squadron and beyond."

The opportunity is a win for all parties. Though volunteers don't see the end result of their labor, the actual delivery of the bags and boxes, they all find it rewarding.

"This really boils down to service," said Lieutenant Williams. "As Airmen, we serve our country every day, but it's extremely satisfying when you can touch the local community like we do through this effort."