Burgers sizzled on the grill and the sounds of the F-16CM Viper occasionally shook the walls of the hanger and reminded everyone inside of the greater cause in the skies. The guests of the 20th annual AbilityOne picnic were the worthy recipients of this display of hospitality and celebration.
On October 18, 2019, AbilityOne and Shaw Air Force Base celebrated 20 years of partnership and conferred annual awards to outstanding employees who do the utmost to support mission readiness.
“This partnership is a difference maker in the Sumter, South Carolina, community in terms of employing those with disabilities,” said Barry Howard, senior account manager at Source America, a nonprofit agency that facilitates the program.
According to AbilityOne.gov, the program’s largest customer is the Department of Defense which employs approximately 45,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities.
Shaw employs support from this program in grounds maintenance, food services, custodial services, aseptic veterinary cleaning services, commissary shelf stocking/warehouse and various other operations. Once a year, Team Shaw throws a celebratory picnic to recognize the dedication of these employees and their commitment to something bigger than just a job.
“This is an opportunity to recognize some important people that we have here,” said Maj. Joshua Nabors, 20th Contracting Squadron commander. “We’re giving back and taking a pause to recognize these folks that help us.”
Awards were handed out by the various departments that employ AbilityOne staff and everyone took a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers. However when the dust settled, and the roar overhead rolled on, the mission continued.
“These people get to live in a life where they are supporting the U.S. Air Force, said Howard. “That, for them, is more fulfilling than the independence they experience being everyday citizens.”