CFC benefits Luke families

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
As the Combined Federal Campaign trucks along at Luke, one of three charities which
are here at the base, is the Airman and Family and Readiness Flight's loan closet. 

This program allows active military, retirees and civilian members to borrow an assortment of household items needed to establish temporary quarters when the member's goods are en route and/or delayed while in shipment during a permanent change of station move, according to Teresa Willingham from the flight. 

Besides PCS moves, household items are also made available to those in a temporary duty status for the length of their stay at Luke. 

This proved invaluable for at least one Luke family. 

"We PCS'd from Germany to an empty home, except for clothing, important papers, etc.," said Dina Davis, wife of Maj. Elton Davis, a pilot in the 63rd Fighter Squadron. "We needed things for everyday use for about two months, which is when our household goods arrived." 

Because of the items the Davis' were able to borrow from the loan closet, they could go
on with their everyday lives until their own stuff arrived. 

"Cooking meals, watch TV, microwave food, iron clothes," she said. "This has been extremely helpful to us everyday. Otherwise, we would have had to buy many things. This would have been costly and in a couple of months we would try to sell those items at the thrift shop for half-price." 

Some of the other items Ms. Willingham mentioned include: car seats, highchairs, futons, electric skillets, microwaves, vacuums, dish packs, pots, pans and televisions. 

"This program is designed to alleviate any unnecessary hardship for members in a transitory status," she said. 

For the Davis family, Mrs. Davis said the loan closet tremendously decreased the stress that goes along with an overseas move. 

"We weren't even sure that the Air Force had this available until we asked questions," she said. 

For more information about the loan closet, call the Airman and Family and Readiness Flight at (623) 856-6415. To learn how to donate to the loan closet through the CFC, or to learn about the thousands of other benefactors of the charity, call unit CFC representatives.