Sponsors play key role in helping newcomers make smooth transition to Hanscom Published July 10, 2009 By Karen Guendel 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- For servicemembers relocating to Hanscom a personal welcome from a unit sponsor can help smooth the moving process. By reaching out to inbound Airmen and their families, sponsors alleviate much of the uncertainty of coming to a new place filled with unfamiliar faces. It doesn't take a big commitment to be a good sponsor. Before the newcomer and his or her family arrive on station, the sponsor introduces himself by letter, phone or e-mail and mails the newcomer a package full of information about the Hanscom area. Then the sponsor meets the new arrival at the front gate, the airport or the train station and shows him or her around the base. The sponsor also introduces the newcomer to his or her co-workers and answers questions about on-base organizations and the local community. For newcomers sponsorship provides many benefits. It can save money and time, reduce stress and increase overall satisfaction with the moving process. Sponsorship can also help newcomers avoid difficulties like being stranded at the airport, wandering lost around Boston or making uninformed housing choices. Many new Hansconians have expressed gratitude for their sponsors. "His overall availability to answer my questions made the transition less stressful," said one. "She took me to the commissary for things for my room," said another. These comments show that small gestures of welcome can make a big difference. First-time sponsors are required to take the Airman and Family Readiness Center's sponsor training. The A&FRC also provides information packages for sponsors to mail to inbound personnel. To schedule training or for more information on sponsorship call the A&FRC at (781) 377-4222.