Buckley Attic gets makeover

The Buckley Attic, shown here June 24, 2013, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. offers an abundance of clothing options. Volunteers from the 460th Operations Support Squadron built new shelves, which increased the attic’s storage capacity by 200 percent, bolted down unstable furniture and fixed cosmetic issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lucas Morrow/Released)

Published June 27, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Lucas Morrow
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Forty-four 460th Operation Support Squadron volunteers rolled up their sleeves, built shelving units, bolted down unstable furniture and fixed cosmetic issues June 24 for the Buckley Attic.

"It's good to help an organization that helps out our Airmen," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Kendell, 460th OSS volunteer coordinator. "With the amount that volunteered, we did about 120 man hours' worth of work. That would take one person three weeks to accomplish."

That one person is Allison Callahan, Buckley Attic manager. While volunteers are important to the success of the attic, she ensures the attic stays open.

Callahan said unsecured furniture, like bookshelves, were a safety hazard for customers because they could topple over. Eventually those safety hazards brought discussion among key spouses. What started out as fixing a variety of small things turned into a full-scale remodel.

"It was incredible," Callahan said. "They just came in, took everything out of the building and went straight to work."

The Buckley Attic is part of Operation Warm Heart, a non-profit organization run by the First Sergeants Association.

The attic is a donation center, taking furniture, clothes, uniforms, dishes, children's items, and almost anything else someone may not want anymore. In turn, those items are given away for free to military families E-5 and below.

The Buckley Attic is open 1-3:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and is always looking for donations. For more information, contact any first sergeant or the Buckley Attic at 720-847-7227.