Airmen play major role during Day of Caring

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 450 Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. converged on the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D., Sept. 1, 2011, to kick off the 2011 United Way Day of Caring.

More than 950 people from Rapid City volunteered to help during the Day of Caring, completing 100 projects throughout the Black Hills. In essence, Ellsworth volunteers contributed almost 50 percent of the total manpower.

"To have Ellsworth apart of this is the most natural thing, we love Ellsworth, we know what it brings to our community and to have them with us ... it's the best it could be," said Sara Hornick, United Way of the Black Hills area coordinator. "Ellsworth is so awesome, they're working on every project you can think of ... cleaning, painting, landscaping, yard work. Ellsworth is doing a little bit of everything and that's awesome. To have a group of volunteers that we can call on to do those kinds of projects, I couldn't have asked for anything better."

For 17 Airmen from the 28th Munitions Squadron, their task was to construct walking and hiking trails through the YMCA's Giraffic Park outside of Hermosa, S.D. The park is used as a summer day camp for Rapid City Youth. Approximately 1,600 children pass through each summer.

"This park gets the kids outdoors to learn about the Black Hills," said Roger Gallimore, YMCA of Rapid City executive director. "It's some good old fashioned fun. This is the first trail of many we hope to build over the years and eventually we'll have a network of trails. Ellsworth's support is helping abundantly. We are very gratefully for Ellsworth support, not only the general appreciation for the defense of our country, but for being a part of our community and for being a part of the very fabric of giving and caring within our community."

The YMCA wasn't the only agency feeling good about the volunteerism; Airmen from the 28th MUNS were more than happy to assist. "Everyone's happy to come out," said Master Sgt. Shane Johnson, 28th MUNS assistant production flight chief. "This has been absolutely great ... this is absolute teamwork, there was no pushing and no pulling, everybody here is an absolute volunteer and everybody was happy to come out. It's great to see folks out here working like this."

For Senior Airman Maribel Rodriguez, 28th MUNS aircraft armament systems apprentice, this is her second year helping out during the Day of Caring. Last year she helped reestablish a fence around a farm. This year she was a part of the team digging the paths.

"Volunteering like this is very important," she said. "It helps improve our relations with the South Dakota area and helps improve morale."