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Corn and sausage roast, thrift store help Airmen in need

By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten, 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published August 24, 2012

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DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Base personnel can always be counted on to gather in effort to help their fellow Airmen. When coupled with good food, no matter how daunting the task, it will be met with smiles and extra enthusiasm.

Juicy brats and roasted corn, fresh off the grill, were snatched up and stacked on picnic-goers' plates almost as fast as the food was pulled off the grill. As hungry people shuffled down the serving line they were served by smiling members of the Square and Compass group, the Dobbins Chief's Group, the Dobbins First Four, Dobbins Thrift Store and the Airman and Family Readiness Office.

The amount of planning that goes into this event is carried in no small part by event coordinators, Ron Durant, of the 94th Airlift Wing Safety Office, and Dallas E. Godfrey Jr., 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"We receive a lot of support from the base population for this very worthwhile event," said Durant. "It is rewarding to see individuals doing their part, in a team effort, contributing in support of the Dobbins family. Funds raised will be helpful in assisting our Airmen in their time of need."

Funds raised by this event go directly into the Dobbins Emergency Assistance Fund for Reservists in financial need.

This year, the Annual Corn & Sausage Roast raised $613, almost equaling last year's total. This was added to a $1000 contribution from the Dobbins Thrift Store. The thrift store operates mostly on donations, but will also take goods on consignment. The contribution to the DEAF comes directly from goods sold in the shop.

"Thank you for doing this," said Col. Timothy E. Tarchick, 94th Airlift Wing commander, to the proprietors of the thrift store. "Although you don't always receive recognition for all you do, you are greatly appreciated by the Dobbins family."

The money will go under the custodianship of the Airman and Family Readiness Office, but will not be accessible except under the Dobbins Emergency Assistance Fund guidelines, according to Angela Pedersen, Airman and Family Readiness Office director.

"We operate under the same set of guidelines that the Air Force Aid Society works through, except we help Reservists," said Pedersen. "This money is only for the Airmen who have an emergency situation, and through no fault of their own, end up in a financial crisis."

Each year, coordinators plan to host the annual roast on the third Wednesday of July.

For more information about the Dobbins Emergency Assistance Fund please contact the Airmen and Family Readiness Office by phone at 678-655-5004 or by email at angela.pedersen@us.af.mil.

For more information on the Dobbins Thrift Shop, or to donate items, please call the shop at 770-422-3566 or visit the shop every Thursday and Unit Training Assembly Saturday 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.