Homestead Airmen give back to community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lou Burton
  • 482FW/PA
HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. --  Life has a way of bringing the unexpected, even with the best laid plans and preparation, the random hand of tragedy can reach out and humble any one of us. Without a helping hand, setbacks can seem nearly impossible to recover from. 

Members of the Homestead Air Reserve Base Junior Enlisted Council gave their time and effort to give back by donating much needed supplies to the Homestead Community Partnership for Homeless.  JEC members delivered cartfuls of supplies including strollers, car seats, diapers, formula and baby clothing on May 1.

"The base has been with us with countless helping hands since we opened in 1998," said Ruth V. Cardona, Assistant Center Coordinator for Homestead CPH. "Some of our greatest needs for donations are for children."

"The people that come here have nothing. They are just starting to get their lives back together and these donations help them do that. These are the things we use every day," said Ms. Cardona.

"This was our first major donation, we placed several donation boxes on base for about a month and a half," said Senior Airman Rebecca Carter, JEC secretary.

"JEC is comprised of Air Force Airmen who want to make a difference on base and in the community," said Senior Airman Astrid Lopez-Michelen, JEC member.  "The Junior Enlisted Council is always looking for new members to join. We have recently been added to the newcomers briefing to get the word out to new Airmen on base."

"Currently we have 50 general members and eight active member participants," said Senior Airman Ro'Maine Pryor, JEC president.  "Requirements for joining are very simple, membership is based on attendance, which requires at least half time attendance to the quarterly meetings held by the group."

"There is a personal satisfaction in giving your help to others who need it," said Senior Airman Carter.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to the CPH can contact Sharon Haxton at 305-416-7017.  

Airmen interested in joining the JEC can contact Senior Airman Carter at: rebecca.carter@homestead.af.mil or call Senior Airman Pryor at 248-739-0791.