Ellsworth provides helping hand during Day of Caring

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth Airmen have long enjoyed a tremendous relationship with our neighbors in the Black Hills region. Recently, many of Ellsworth's Airmen joined forces with other volunteers across the region to work together on projects that lend a hand to those in need throughout the community.

This was the case on Sept. 6, when 1,200 volunteers gathered at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D., for the kick-off luncheon - launching yet another day of selfless service called the Day of Caring.

The United Way of the Black Hills Day of Caring was established in 1992 to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism, increase the awareness of local human service agencies and schools, and demonstrate what people working together for the community's good can accomplish.

Renee Parker, UWBH executive director, said like in previous years, Airmen and other volunteers teamed up to help complete projects including washing windows, cleaning gutters, mowing lawns, putting up chain-link fences and painting homes.

"We are so grateful for all the support we receive," said Parker. "Today we have more than 450 of our 1,200 volunteers from Ellsworth and without these Airmen a lot of these projects couldn't be done."

Airman 1st Class Precilla Lawrence, 28th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate paralegal, said she volunteered because the Air Force has given her an opportunity to not only better herself, but also reach her highest peak of self worth.

"It feels amazing to know that I have helped people," Lawrence said. "It may seem like a small task, but to me it is a remarkable thing to look back at your life and say you have helped a person in need. I enjoy putting a smile on someone's face and making a difference in someone's life."

For many of the Airmen, it wasn't their first time volunteering during the Day of Caring.

Tech. Sgt. Brett Guzman, 28th Bomb Wing Command Post NCO in charge of console operations, who volunteered during the 2010 Day of Caring and again this year, said it was a great opportunity to come together as a community with one common goal and give back.

"I have the ability to help and I believe in the cause," said Guzman. "I get instant gratification when it comes to this type of volunteering. I feel all the work I do is appreciated - nothing tops that."

Nicomas Redhorse, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus West naturalist and school programs coordinator, said all of the Airmen who volunteered to complete the project at the campus helped immensely. She was quick to note that without their help, the facility wouldn't be as well maintained and her garden plot project wouldn't have been possible.

"I've been here since December and I have never seen this much work get done in such a short amount of time," said Redhorse. "I can't thank all of these Airmen enough - I hope they come back because they are awesome."