Airman’s Attic: Providing necessities for Luke families

  • Published
  • By Story and photos by DEBORAH SILLIMAN WOLFE
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Luke Air Force Base Airman's Attic, located on the south side of Lightning Road in Bldg. 319, is a valuable resource for E-1s through E-5s and their families who require basic home necessities. 

The Attic provides gently used household goods, clothing, books and a variety of other items free of charge, all of which have been donated by members of the community. The Attic is run completely by volunteers who sort donations, help customers navigate the shop and keep the sections of goods organized. 

"We have retirees, military members and other people in the community that donate items to the Attic," said Victoria Carrizales, Attic volunteer. "If someone has a large donation, like a huge entertainment center, we have a military vehicle that active-duty military volunteers drive on Saturdays to pick up donations in the local area." 

Once donations are received, they are sorted by volunteers and put in a designated place on the floor. There are sections for baby clothes, furniture, men's and women's clothing, electronics, accessories, books, videos and flatware. 

According to Cindy Miller, Attic volunteer, persons interested in shopping at the facility need to present proper identification showing they are an E-1 through E-5 or a family member. Once the ID has been checked, patrons can browse the huge warehouse-like space. 

Each family is allowed to take home with them the following in a week's period: 10 women's items, 10 men's items, 10 children's items, a variety of household goods (depending on the supply) and five toys, books or videos. Each family is limited to three large items in a six month period which includes furniture, appliances and televisions. 

If a family is in need of a specific item, they can add the item to a wish list located in the front office of the Attic. If an item is received that matches a person's request on the wish list, the requester is notified and has 24 hours to pick up the item. If the item is not picked up within the allotted time, it is put on the showroom floor for other customers. 

The uniform room is the only section at the Attic open to all Air Force members, no matter what their rank. The room has a variety of uniforms, as well as odds and ends that Airmen can get if they are missing certain pieces of their uniforms. Mrs. Carrizales said the uniform room sees a lot of use, especially now that many Airmen are required to wear their blues on Mondays. 

Helping military families is not the only reason Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Carrizales and Laura Hamm, the Airman's Attic organizational guru, volunteer their time at the facility. They all say they value the friendships that have been made in their time at the shop. 

The Airman's Attic is open 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month. 

For more information or volunteering opportunities, call (623) 856-6415.