Squadron members become closer while volunteering

by Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

6/4/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Would you ever expect that painting railings would build morale within your squadron? The 375th Operations Support Squadron recently took this approach. Once a month members from the 375th OSS volunteer in the community while building morale.

Senior Airman Lindsay Tow, Airmen 1st Class Sarah Haynes and Joshua Rose, 375th OSS members, have dedicated their time to volunteering. These Airmen are involved with the Community Outreach program within the 375th OSS.

"We're responsible for organizing a monthly unit event," said Haynes, an intelligence analyst and previously a point of contact for the organized volunteer events. "We take into consideration the impact it will have on the community, working with the unit's schedule, and getting everyone excited to go."

The program began in 2013, when Lt. Col. George Granholm, 375th OSS commander, decided he wanted his squadron to be regularly involved with the community. From that moment on, the 375th OSS has been reaching out and trying to make a difference.

Granholm soon called for any members who would be able to take on an important role of finding locations for volunteering. Every six months, members who have offered their time to do their part, will alternate roles in the program.

Haynes said, "Volunteering is like his baby, and I believe that it is also a morale booster. One of the most surprising things is that everyone is really excited to go and would like to volunteer again."

The first few months of the program, the unit offered a lot of their time to St. Louis. So far the squadron has volunteered at Veteran's Affairs, the St. Louis Food Bank, VA Gift Wrap, "Home front Enabling Relationships, Opportunities, and Empowerment through Support," the O'Fallon Food Pantry, and many more.

Many members from the unit suggest places to go volunteer and give positive feedback, said Haynes.

"We try to have something that people enjoy doing or have a passion for," said Rose, an air traffic controller.

For a couple of events, the unit donated items for the charity or program.

Before their visit to the Belleville Humane Society, approximately 50 items were donated for pets, Rose said. The 375th OSS also adopted a family for Christmas and was able to give them every item on their wish list.

"I think when people see the end result of the day they realize that it was worth it," said Rose.

The unit's recent volunteer event was at the Jefferson Barracks Historic Park in St. Louis.

Airman 1st Class Jacob Beyer, 375th OSS air traffic controller, was among the air traffic control members who helped with removing rust and painting.

"We are helping the community, but we're also kind of building our team up," said Beyer. "We have a common goal and that is working to get something done."

Many volunteering teams have formed and many of the same faces return for each event, Rose said.

The volunteers painted rails which rest on a small portion of the original 1,702 acres of the military installation established in 1826 as the country's first Infantry School of Practice. This location served as a major United States military installation until it was deactivated in June 1946.

Even though painting rails sounds quite tedious it does help the park because they depend on only volunteers, said Tow.

"For the community I think people appreciate the difference we're making out there," Rose said. "People say all the time, 'We love how the base supports the community.'"