Airman’s Attic offers goods and support to Beale community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Schultze
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

There is a place on Beale that offers free used goods to the base community. They have an array of items including military and civilian clothing, shoes, sporting goods, toys, housewares, electronics, décor, furniture, books, games and food that have all been donated. This place is known as the Airmen’s Attic.

“We help a lot of single Airmen and small families, we can save them money from their paychecks on a lot of household items,” said Sharaya Woddwick, Beale Airmen’s Attic co-manager. “We also serve the role of providing basic items for those who are in the middle of moving and are waiting for their household goods to arrive at Beale, whether that be pots and pans, linens or furniture, we can be that stopgap.”

The Attic is maintained by the Beale Enlisted Spouses Club and volunteers. It is useful for a wide range of situations, such as getting household goods during the moving process or picking up a uniform item on short notice. It also offers financial respite for those looking to save money on a wide variety of items. The Attic is open to all enlisted members, officers, retirees and their families.

The Airmen’s Attic is open Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the third Saturday of each month 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The used military uniform section is another aspect of the Attic that Airmen might not be aware of.

“I don’t know how many Airmen have come by and see that we have boots, lots of uniforms, and dress blues items. Not having to go spend $150 dollars on a new pair of boots can be huge for a newer Airman,” said Julie Bilello, Beale Airmen’s Attic co-manager.

Volunteers are always needed at the location and Billelo wants to encourage others on Beale to lend support and give back.

“We can always use volunteers for a variety of tasks like sorting donated goods, cleaning or putting items out on the floor. We especially need help during our open hours,” said Woddwick.

Community support is a key impetus of maintaining the presence of the Airmen’s Attic, and it is what motivates the volunteers according to Bilello.

“We re-donate items to homeless shelters in the area, we tend to have a surplus of clothing items and we bring those to Twin Cities Rescue Mission and The Gathering Homeless Shelter in the local area,” said Woddwick. “We want people to know that when they donate items they go to good use whether it is on Beale or at these facilities.”

For the most up-to-date information on the Airmen's Attic, donating and volunteering opportunities visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BealeAttic/?ref=br_rs or call 530-634-5630.