Building relationships through volunteer work

  • Published
  • By Airman Torri Henninger
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The Officers and Civilians Spouses Club and the Enlisted and Civilians Spouses Club contributed funds to over 30 different charities on and off base last year.

These groups' commitment to service not only helps the airmen on base, but also helps the base's relationship with the local community.

The clubs work independently throughout the year doing various fundraisers and activities to help new families coming into the UK. These activities have generated funds for local schools, Department of Defense schools, the British Boy and Girl Scouts, local animal shelters and the morale of new Airmen coming to RAF Lakenheath.

Each September, the clubs join each other in hosting an annual holiday bazaar. The bazaar is a venue for military personnel and their families to purchase unique items from invited European and American vendors. Some of the merchandise includes handmade crafts, antiques and food items.

"The bazaar is the major source of earning for the clubs," said Donna Balutski, ECSC President and Bazaar advisor.

Last year, over $70,000 was raised at the bazaar. A small portion of the earnings goes into planning next year's event, while the rest is split between the clubs and donated to various charities.

"The next largest area of earning for the ECSC is the Base Thrift Store," said Mrs. Balutski. "The store is a great place to find British appliances, adapters and furniture for families just arriving in the UK. It's also a good place to sell those things when the families are PCSing out of the country."

Recently, the ECSC donated £1,000 to the St. Louis Primary School in New Market.

Teresa Selvey, Head Teacher at St. Louis said, "The donated funds are going to go toward our grants program to get a new trim trail for the school."

The school had to raise money in order to apply for the grant and they hope to be breaking ground this term, she said. Each class in the school was asked to choose a particular piece of equipment they'd like. The school collected those requests and is building the trim trail with the equipment the children chose.

Funds are also raised through a yearly British-American Relations fundraiser which will be held May 11. The fundraiser is an auction that will enable guests to bid on filled baskets donated by various squadrons and individuals on base. Money from the function and the bazaar goes toward programs such as Project Cheer Paintball, HeartLink and the base library, which will receive new juvenile reading books.

"The OCSC also donated $2,000 to the East Anglia Air Ambulance toward their operating costs," said Adrienne Pedersen, OCSC Philanthropic Chair. "The air ambulance receives no government funding and has to conduct its own fundraising. The East Anglia Air Ambulance provides a life-saving, quick response ambulatory service for patients in critical need of transport to local hospitals and has provided medical services to our military members and dependents injured in vehicle accidents."

"This year, the OCSC Philanthropic Committee donated more than $35,000 within the military and local community," said Pedersen.

Other local recipients of funds are Busy Bees Preschool, Hockwold Primary, Elveden Primary School, Barracuda Swim Club, Ely St. Mary's Church of England School, Lakenheath Little Fishes Preschool, Friends of Beck Row Primary School, Lakenheath Scout Group and East Anglia Air Ambulance.

"The fundraisers are only made possible by the outpouring of volunteer assistance from within the military community and the dedication of the OCSC and ECSC volunteers," said Mrs. Pedersen.

By raising money to help the local community, the OCSC and ECSC are also helping the relationship with the local community and RAF Lakenheath, making it possible to complete the mission more smoothly.

Anyone interested in joining can attend one of the group functions advertised each month in the 48th Services @EASE magazine.