Sheppard AiTs join United Way salvage effort for flood victims

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A single Airman-in-Training, watching the local media report of the rising levels of water and damage in Wichita Falls, wondered if there was something he could do.

Now, Sheppard is in its second week of bussing AiTs to the North Texas Area United Way headquarters to assist with cleanup and repair of all the homes and businesses devastated by the recent flooding.

While other organizations within Sheppard - among them the 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron and the base chaplains - are also pitching in wherever they can, the idea of tech-school students taking time away from their studies to volunteer struck some at United Way as noteworthy.

"These young men could have spent the weekend doing their homework or partying with their friends - to see them choose to spend their free time helping us is wonderful," said Lana Winfrey, a United Way representative.

Before heading to the first house, the Airmen, along with about 40 other community volunteers, were briefed by a representative from Paramount Baptist Church Disaster Relief Unit from Amarillo, Texas. They were given breathing masks and working gloves, warned to watch out for black mold, wasp nests and stranded pets who might be feral or even rabid, and bussed to the east side of town, where some of the worst damage awaited.

"We were just trying to answer the call," said Airman Mitchell Scott, 366th Training Squadron, who spent his morning carrying ruined clothes, warped photographs and even a waterlogged couch from one of the homes that got the worst of the estimated 4-foot rainwaters.

It was Airman Scott who organized these weekend missions of mercy for the 366th TRS. After watching the news, he rounded up some volunteers among his classmates. Then after clearing it through his chain of command, he led his fellow AiTs to United Way each weekend, even listing his cell phone on the volunteer forms as the AiTs point of contact number in case of emergency.

"We're coming out here next weekend, too, and we'll keep coming until we graduate or they don't need us anymore," Airman Scott said.

That day might come soon. Thanks to Sheppard, the Amarillo disaster relief unit that provided the safety briefing, the Air and Land Emergency Resource Teams and churches and volunteers from across town, the work is about halfway done.

"We've completed 26 housing units so far, and have about that many to go," said Diana Phillips, president and CEO of United Way. The flood volunteers have also done salvage work at the east branch YMCA and Campfire U.S.A., a non-profit organization for children. They've also done intake work for more than 480 victims at the Family Assistance Center.

For United Way, this is just the latest instance of Sheppard helping the community in a time of need. Last year, in preparation for United Way's Day of Caring, Sheppard personnel worked every day for a month painting the walls and sanding the floors of the Salvation Army building. Members of 82nd CES have already offered their plumbing, electrical and carpentry expertise to help rebuild the flood victims' homes.

"Sheppard is just a great community partner," Ms. Phillips said. "Because of all the volunteers we've received across town, across Texas, people will get back into their homes that much faster. We couldn't have accomplished so much this quickly without them."

The base chaplains are heading up efforts to match Sheppard volunteers with downtown agencies that need assistance. For more information, or to volunteer, call the South Chapel at 676-4370.