Deep Sense of Community

Thrift shop volunteers, airmen and InstantHandz move store displays and inventory from the old club to the new location at the old bowling alley in January 2020. (Photo courtesy of Fighter Country Partnership) Volunteer Emory makes sure the toy section is in order. (Photo courtesy of Fighter Country Partnership)

Deep Sense of

Community Luke AFB Thrift Shop pays it forward

Volunteers finish a thrift shop day in April. (Photo courtesy of Fighter Country Partnership)

BY KRISTIE CANTERBURY AND LAUREN HEFFNER

The Luke Air Force Base Thrift Shop moved into its new location one year ago, thanks, in part, to the Luke Spouses’ Club, which invested more than $100,000 to create the fun shopping experience.

All current and retired Air Force, Army, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force families are invited to peruse the reasonably priced new and used goods.

“We serve ages 0 to 100,” says Lucinda Carmichael, the thrift store chair and a retired Air Force veteran.

The store sells clothing, kitchen items, toys, furniture and home décor for 75% to 90% off retail, providing hundreds of dollars in monthly savings. This is vital to military families who endure frequent moves. Shop staff members invite their new neighbors to stop by.

The inventory isn’t only for helping new PCS arrivals but other newbies as well. The thrift shop sells cribs, slings and clothing at reasonable prices.

The Luke AFB Thrift Shop boasts a deep sense of community, thanks to the active-duty spouses and military retirees who donate hundreds of hours of their time each month.

Ellen Anderson, a veteran and seven-year volunteer, enjoys her time at the thrift store.

“Life is good,” she says buoyantly.

The benefits snowball from there. Volunteering helps military spouses, who can add the activity to their resumes.

In partnership with the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Luke AFB Thrift Shop supports the Airman’s Attic program by providing additional savings on already low-priced goods. As part of its Layette Program, it provides a welcome basket to parents after the arrival of their newborns.

The Luke Spouses’ Club provides free uniforms to all airmen in active status; manages Cinderella’s Closet to lend evening gowns, handbags and accessories for special events; and serves as a collection point for the new Luke AFB Food Pantry.

Luke AFB Thrift Shop is the primary fundraising source for the Luke Spouses’ Club and its welfare account. These profits are used for college scholarships for military dependents, grants to Luke AFB organizations, and charitable contributions to base organizations and the community.

Since opening the new space in May 2020 — and despite the challenges that came with COVID-19 — the thrift shop donated $45,000 to the community. This year, it invested $25,000 in scholarships for dependents seeking higher education and supported Luke Library and Month of the Military Child programs, the Luke AFB Freedom Fest, and $2,000 to the new Luke AFB food pantry.

Info: bit.ly/3xvfq4d or lukespousesclub. org. The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Contents MAY/JUNE 2021

26

HISTORIC JOURNEY

Bilateral amputee to ride bike across United States

MAY/JUNE 2021

SELFLESS SERVICE

56th Fighter Wing airman grants 56 wishes for children

Glendale Veterans Court

MAY/JUNE 2021 | Sound of Freedom 1Sound of Freedom is published bimonthly by Times Media Group, a private publishing company. Times Media Group is in no way affi liated with Luke Air Force Base or the United States Air Force.

ON THE COVER

Bilateral amputee and Army vet Steve Martin will ride his bike across the country. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

8 20 36

2 Deep Sense of Community Luke AFB Th rift Shop pays it forward

8 ‘Honor, Courage, Commitment’

Traveling art exhibit shares Marine Corps’ talents

12 Providing Resources

New hub for support services launches in Surprise

14 Salute to Service

HOV surprises Goodyear veteran with tribute

16 Historic Journey

Bilateral amputee to ride bike across United States

18 Luke AFB Debut

First Danish F-35s land at Luke Air Force Base

20 Selfl ess Service

56th Fighter Wing airman grants 56 wishes

23 Highlighting Teamwork

Luke defenders, law enforcement train for real-world response

25 Legendary Status

Th e Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter revolutionized modern warfare

26 Helping Hand

Anthem veteran honored with keys to new vehicle

27 Giving Back

Vistancia club, Walmart team to help veterans

30 New Lift Station Coming Luke Air Force Base contracts with Felix Construction Company on job

32 Understanding Veterans

Glendale to proceed with new military court

34 Showing Respect

Veterans Day goes beyond November

36 In Photos

Lesko visits Luke Air Force Base

Publisher Steve T. Strickbine

Vice President Michael Hiatt

Associate Group Publisher Laura Meehan, 623-777-1042 lmeehan@star-times.com

Executive Editor Christina Fuoco-Karasinski 480-898-5631 christina@star-times.com

Staff Photographer Pablo Robles

Contributors Sinobia Aiden, Kristie Canterbury, Staff Sgt. Amber Carter, Lin Sue Cooney, Senior Airman Caitlin Diaz-Gorsi, Lauren Heffner, Bill Quehrn, Claire Spinner, Airman 1st Class Dominic Tyler

Graphic Design Veronica Thurman vthurman@timespublications.com

Production Manager Courtney Oldham production@timespublications.com

Advertising Representatives Barbara Duran, 623-847-4608 bduran@star-times.com Connie Williams, 623-847-4601 cwilliams@star-times.com

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