Spring cleaning: Team Aviano does more with less

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  In the spirit of spring cleaning, Team Aviano members should remember that unneeded household items can benefit others.

Wyverns have the opportunity to do more good with less by donating used items, because as the saying goes, one person's trash is another person's treasure. The Thrift Shop, Airman's Attic, Defense Logistics Agency and many other locally run alternatives provide a chance to pass on those treasures.

"Whether people want to donate to the Thrift Shop or Airman's Attic, it's a great opportunity to give back to Airmen and their families," said Aubrey Mallory, Thrift Shop volunteer.

The Thrift Shop, tucked away in Bldg. 1467 on Area F, holds everything from donated children's clothes to dishes and small televisions.

"Permanent change of station season is around the corner and a lot of people are cleaning out their houses right now," said Mallory. "Any items brought here can either be donated to us or consigned to the Thrift Shop to help sell."

Consignment removes the burden of selling an item and allows the Thrift Shop to keep a percentage of the sale. All the money earned is non-profit and is used to further help the base community.

"The Aviano Community of Enlisted Spouses runs the Thrift Shop," said Mallory. "The money we make here helps ACES fund scholarships, base-wide fundraisers and provides financial support for families in need."

If willing Wyverns want to donate at another location, they only need to walk down the hall to the Airman's Attic.

"The biggest difference between us and the Thrift Shop is everything in here is free and we provide serviceable uniforms to Airmen," said Lyly Granfield, Airman's Attic volunteer. "I've been volunteering here for over a year, and it feels great to help give to the community in my own way."

There is a constant flow of household goods and clothes brought to the Airmen's Attic by the boxful when Airmen and their families move.

"We get so many donated items from everyone here, I always tell people to take more," said Granfield. "I like to say that the more people take, the happier we get."

As visitors walk around, they may find household items needed for dorm rooms or off-base houses.

"We want to help people save money in whatever way we can," said Granfield. "Sometimes we receive so much that we even have to donate our items to places off base."

Granfield said the Airmen's Attic donates excess clothes and shoes to yellow donation bins in surrounding communities off base. Yellow bins are similar to the Salvation Army bins in the U.S.; their contents go to people in need.

Along with the yellow donation bins, Team Aviano members are encouraged to donate clothes and shoes still in good condition to the Aviano church annex, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Clothes donated to the parish are delivered to people in the immediate area.

As a last resort, Airmen and their families can bring unwanted items to their local ecological platform. Ecological platforms are local dumpsites for any bulk items that don't get picked up by weekly trucks. Unusable children's toys, metals or any number of dry waste products can be properly disposed at the platforms.

Airmen don't need to restrict themselves to spring cleaning only at their house; they can also do their part for the office. The DLA services help offices dispose of government-owned supplies, whether old or new.

The DLA accepts excess office items, scrap metal and appliances for disposition. If still serviceable, some items may be reassigned to units in need. This service allows the base to save money and help distribute equipment throughout the Department of Defense.

For more information about donating, visit the Thrift Shop or Airman's Attic Facebook pages. For information on what DLA can accept, visit the DLA website. For local ecological platform information, contact your landlord or visit the Aviano AB recycling page.