Family Services provides helpful tools for everyone Published Nov. 6, 2006 By Senior Airman Aldric Borders 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AFB, Okla. -- The Family Services Building, located next to Charlie's is a treasure trove of goodies and support for Airmen and their families. "We provide services such as the Loan Closet, Airman's Attic, sponsor/welcome packages, base brochures/videos, foreign language tapes, Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service packages, relocation/transition assistance brochures, OPERATION HEIRBORN/Layettes and volunteer opportunities," said Lisa Sackett, Family Services coordinator. Each of these services are unique in their own way. Loan Closet The Loan closet has a variety of items available for loan including: kitchenware/appliances, utensils, dish packs, cookware, sleeping cushions, baby items (pak-n-plays, strollers, baths, boosters, high chairs etc.) and more. Some items are limited such as TVs, child car seats, wheelchair, baby gates and swings. The Loan Closet has a selection of children's toys available for loan as well, donated by the Officer Spouses Club. There is also a limited number of vacuum cleaners available for 48 hours at a time for people on PCS/TDY orders only. The Loan Closet is primarily available to military and DoD civilian personnel PCSing in or out of Altus Air Force Base, and anyone on TDY orders to Altus AFB. A copy of PCS or TDY orders and ID card are required prior to checking out items. Altus AFB permanent residents/retirees also have access to the Loan Closet, with an ID card, to accommodate house guests--some restrictions may apply. There is no charge to use the Loan Closet unless an item is broken or not returned. As noted on the contract which is signed prior to use of the Loan Closet, all items must be cleaned and serviceable prior to their return to the Loan Closet, and are not transferable to another individual. The Loan Closet has carts and a ramp to help with loading and unloading the items from vehicles. Airman's Attic The next service, the Airman's Attic, is totally furnished with donations which are made available for free to active duty members with ranks of E-4 and below and their immediate family who are permanently stationed at Altus AFB. E-4 and below active duty members who are here TDY can use the attic with a copy of their orders while here, with some exceptions. A contract stating conditions for use of the Airman's Attic will be signed prior to use of the attic. Airman's Attic accepts most donations with a few exceptions such as no adult clothes, food, cleaning supplies, DCUs, and items that contain gasoline. Donations should be clean and in working order with the following exception: In partnership with the ASYMCA, Family Services accept washers and dryers both working/non-working. Those in working order are available to those on the waiting list. "We have waiting lists for large furniture items: washers/dryers, beds, dining tables, dressers and couches. Those living in base housing or off base can be on the waiting list-certain restrictions may apply," said Ms. Sackett. "We have a variety of military items and uniforms available for all ranks." Also, active duty members who have experienced a disaster can contact their First Shirt to see about obtaining items from the Airman's Attic. Sponsor/welcome package Family Services assembles and distributes sponsor/welcome packages for the base. Newcomers who did not receive a sponsor package should come see Family Services for this valuable information. Base brochures/videos Family Services house a library of brochures and videos for most Air Force installations from around the world, including a variety of other military branch installations. These are available to loan out for 48 hours. Most videos are on VHS. For those without a VCR, feel free to view the video at Family Services. SITES Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service updates military base information several times per year and includes topics pertinent to PCS moves. It is an extremely useful tool for researching a particular base and planning a move. Interested people can contact the Family Services coordinator to have a SITES package emailed to them on a particular base. They need to have a base global email account. If they do not have access to email, Family Services can print out packages in some cases. Foreign language tapes Family Services has a collection of home study foreign language tapes available for 30 days loan. Interested people need to be stationed at Altus AFB and be an ID card holder. Family Service's collection includes: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Saudi-Arabic, Turkish, Korean, and Portuguese. Relocation/Transition assistance brochures Family Services has a collection of informative publications about various cultures where military installations are located, life skills education guides, and relocation information including pamphlets and booklets addressing moving issues, spouse employment, moving with pets and more. OPERATION HEIRBORN Layettes are given to all E-5 and below on the birth of their first child, or to any rank with multiple births. A layette is an arrangement of accessories and clothing for a newborn baby. Volunteer opportunities Family Services is operated mostly by volunteers. It always needs people who wish to donate their time and assist others. Even an hour a week would make a difference. Family Services volunteers assist in the Loan Closet and Airman's Attic, collate and distribute sponsor packages, aid with deliveries/pickups of donations, and keep Family Services functional. Family Services pays for childcare while volunteers help in Family Services. Please contact the Family Services Coordinator for more information. Check out the Y.E.S. program for student volunteers at the youth center. Volunteering for students can aid in tuition assistance for college. For more information on Family Services and their programs, call Ms. Sackett at 481-7460.