Airman’s Attic mission serves junior enlisted Published April 27, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Gwendalyn Smith 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Moving to a new base or even arriving to your first duty station can be very exciting for many young Airmen. However, costs can quickly add up and may seem overwhelming to some. The Chief Master Sgt. Gene Collin's Airman's Attic offers E-5 and below a helping hand. The Airman's Attic has many necessities, including free clothing, uniforms, furniture, food, and children's toys to help alleviate financial stressors. Anne Goodwin, a core volunteer at the Airman's Attic said, "The young Airmen don't make very much money, and we live in a world where things are costly, so we try to help them with their basic needs so they don't need to stress." The Airman's Attic was named after Chief Master Sgt. Gene Collins in 2010, when he passed away. Collins became the manager of the facility in 2004 with a goal to better take care of the base's Airmen. Collins saw the Airman's Attic through a move from an older, less convenient building to a new, more centrally located facility, which services more Airmen and families than any other Airman's Attic in Air Mobility Command. "Gene was always working and just loved the Airmen," said Sandra McKenney, an Airman's Attic core volunteer. Goodwin said the team of volunteers continue Collins' legacy of caring by creating a helpful environment for young Airmen. "I like that I'm giving back to the military, I'm giving back to young people--young people who put their lives on the line and leave their families behind," said Goodwin. The Airman's attic is open from 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month. Items can be donated from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 8:30 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month. Donated items that cannot be used at the attic are donated to other charity organizations in the local area. Because Airman's Attic relies on volunteers and donations to stay open, volunteers are always welcome and encouraged to help out. "Come volunteer," said Marcia Skavdal, an Airman's Attic volunteer. "It is work, but it's fun work. We enjoy it and have a good time. Having as many volunteers in here as we can is always a positive."