Donation Station

Photo By Capt. Joshua Sinclair | The Airman's Attic at the 934th Airlift Wing is open to support Airmen of all ranks and is run by a committee of volunteers looking to help others.  

MN, UNITED STATES

01.07.2024

Story by Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf 

934th Airlift Wing

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn – Many people know about a certain colloquium involving dusty trinkets being a treasure to others. This exact phrase is exactly what the 934th Airlift Wing key supporter mentor Eva Leavitt is trying to embody through the use of a free military surplus store, of sorts.
“I had this idea about five years ago to put the Airman’s Attic on base,” Leavitt said. “When I was on active duty, there was a place where you could donate your stuff to other Airmen to go and pick it up.”
Not just military items are donated and picked up. Anything from ugly Christmas sweaters to old cooking utensils can be found at the 934th AW Airman’s Attic.
“I wanted to create a place where Airmen can come and get things for their babies, themselves, their uniforms, and even canned goods,” she said. “The ability to get every day needs that might supplement their life.”
One reason that local civilians or military should donate their unused items to the Airman’s Attic on base is that the items themselves are given straight towards Airman. No resale of any kind takes place.
“I don’t want to say it’s like a Goodwill because of perhaps the stigma behind it,” she said. “With this project, military members are giving back to military members. It’s all free. You’re just giving back to your fellow coworkers, fellow Airmen, your fellow community.”
Items of all kinds are welcome for drop-off. The more the merrier.
“If it’s smaller items, people can leave it in the vestibule area outside or they can leave it in building 760,” Leavitt said. “Soon there will be a box in the community access center. If it is larger items, the can contact my number (763-607-5334) and we can schedule a pickup time that works for them.”
Giving is something that Leavitt used for inspiration to undertake the Airman’s Attic project. A feeling of community togetherness comes from these kind of events.
“It’s important to me because I want to give back to this community,” she said. “Taking care of us, whether I know them or not, our community is important. Showing these younger Airmen that they have a place is important to taking care of the community.”
Giving to the younger Airmen is key to saving money and using what they have that is essential. Using money effectively on a budget can go a long way.
“As a young Airmen, you do not make a lot of money,” Leavitt said. “The Airman Attic helped me out when I was in. But it goes much deeper than that. This will take stress off of them, and make them feel a certain camaraderie. Everything comes full circle when the Airmen bring their families in on it.”
The Airman’s Attic is open during the week for regular business hours, and Leavitt can be seen upstairs for help. For any questions about donations or volunteering, contact her at the number listed above.

• Date Taken: 01.07.2024
• Date Posted: 02.06.2024 12:40
• Story ID: 463101
• Location: MN, US