Volunteers needed to keep Loan Locker open

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center here manages a free Loan Locker to provide newly arrived and departing active duty and civilian employees a place to borrow household items.

Among the items offered at the Loan Locker are sleeping mats, cookware, dishes and small appliances.

“This is an outstanding benefit for members of the base community after they’ve arrived to Hanscom, but their household goods haven’t,” said Kathy Vaillancourt, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant.

While the A&FRC oversees the Loan Locker program, Vaillancourt attributes the success of the program to the volunteers who staff it.

“Without the assistance of dedicated volunteers, the Loan Locker would not be sustainable here,” she said. “This time of year is particularly challenging as we serve a number of inbound and outbound personnel at Hanscom.”

The Loan Locker program is part of the A&FRC’s Family Services Program to help the base community.

“Family Services is the volunteer division of the Airman and Family Readiness Center,” said Vaillancourt. “While many of the programs that once fell under the Family Services Program are no longer available, the Loan Locker, Hearts Apart and Layette programs remain – for now.”

Vaillancourt noted that while other Air Force bases have given the responsibility of the Loan Locker to various organizations on base or discontinued the program entirely, Hanscom has managed to keep the program running.

“We are always looking for volunteers who can meet the needs of military members and their families,” she said. “This also provides excellent volunteer opportunities for those interested members of the community.. The main qualification for this position is a sincere desire to give back to the men and women stationed at Hanscom.”

Vaillancourt added that another benefit for volunteers is that the Family Services Program will pay childcare expenses while they are there.

The Loan Locker is available for active duty military and civilian employees and their families at Hanscom Air Force Base. It is located in Building 1240, in the recently opened Community Support Center.

Personnel not PCSing may also utilize the Loan Locker on a space-available basis.

For more information on the Loan Locker, or to learn more about volunteering, contact Kathy Vaillancourt at 781-225-2756.

“If you would like to be that friendly face that meets with newcomers and provides them with household goods and local information -- we need you,” said Vaillancourt. “You can set your own hours and do some of the most rewarding work. A few hours of your time can mean so much to those new to Hanscom Air Force Base.”