Hanscom volunteers help Massachusetts children

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Approximately 100 volunteers from the Hanscom community came together March 2 to construct 50 beds for area children.

A Bed for Every Child is an initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, an organization dedicated to eliminating poverty in Massachusetts.

“The program works to get children growing up in poverty a new bed of their own,” said Robyn Frost, A Bed for Every Child executive director. “We work to make sure every child has a place to lay his or her head in the evening.”

Leading the Hanscom AFB volunteer effort was Master Sgt. Bryan Hawk, who spoke about the willingness of those on base to help.

“When we see an opportunity like this to help the less fortunate, everybody gets behind it and is eager to help,” said Hawk. “This is one way in our own personal capacity we can give back to the community.”

While volunteers were responsible for building the beds, funding for the project came from the Hanscom Federal Credit Union.

“The Massachusetts Coalition gets approximately 200 requests per month through guidance counselors and schools for children in need,” said Paul Marotta, HFCU chairman. “The funding comes from private sources, such as the credit union, but the real effort is to get these beds built by volunteers.”

In December, HFCU raised more than $10,000 for the project through an employee holiday raffle.

Frost spoke about the volume of volunteers from Hanscom AFB who helped with the project.

“This is really exciting. To be able to come here and do this with nearly 100 volunteers is just amazing,” Frost said. “The outpouring of people wanting to help build 50 beds in a day is phenomenal.”

Organizers provided the necessary tools and supplies to complete the construction of each bed, which took approximately 90 minutes. The volunteers then painted the beds, which will be delivered to area children in the next two weeks.

“Any opportunity to help children in need is really important to me,” said Airman 1st Class Emma Field, a volunteer. “Sometimes we take things for granted, such as a good night’s sleep. It’s a really nice project to be involved in and help local children.”

To learn more about A Bed for Every Child initiative, visit www.abedforeverychild.org.