Peterson thrift shop celebrates volunteers

Published May 9, 2014
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A thrift store is more than just a place to pick up inexpensive secondhand goods -- it is also a place that fosters community sharing and allows volunteers to give back in many ways.

The Peterson-Schriever-Cheyenne Mountain Thrift Shop located in building 615 here is one such place. With more than 45 volunteers, the base thrift store has been providing service to Team Pete for longer than anyone can remember, possibly dating back to Pete Field's earliest days.

Volunteers at the PSC Thrift Shop were celebrated during a luncheon May 5 at the base chapel where they were thanked for their years of faithful and dedicated service to the community.

"We cannot thank you enough for what you all do each and every single day," said Elizabeth Jones, president of the Peterson-Schriever-Cheyenne Mountain Spouses' Club. "Some of you have been here longer than some of my board members have been alive."

Among those attending the luncheon was Bev Jennings, who received a special recognition as she retires after 30 years of service at the PSC Thrift Shop.

"Thank you for all of the wonderful years you have put in at the thrift shop, not only have you given back at the thrift shop, but you have also given back to the future leaders of our Air Force," said Col. John Shaw, 21st Space Wing commander. "We are going to miss you very much."

Jennings was presented a commander's coin for excellence, along with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation for her three decades of caring, volunteer service to Team Pete.

"We cannot thank you enough for your 30 years of faithful service at the thrift shop, you know everyone's names, families and you have loved everyone," said Jones.

In addition to Shaw's recognition, Jennings was also honored by Chief Master Sgt. Rich Redman, 21st Space Wing command chief, and Lt. Gen. John Hyten, Air Force Space Command vice commander, for her outstanding dedication.

"The thrift store is critical to everyone here at Peterson, but it is our junior enlisted who have really benefited from it. What you have done for our Airmen and our community, you stand as an example to us all," said Redman.

The volunteers at the PSC Thrift Shop do more than just staff the store; they also assist with causes to benefit military personnel. This year alone they raised $10,000 in scholarships for family members of Peterson service members as part of a combined effort with the Peterson-Schriever-Cheyenne Mountain Spouses' Club.

"Thank you so much for these wonderful volunteers who have served so long at our thrift shop and who have touched so many lives that they will never know, through the customers who come in, the people who consign, the families who come and go, with their loving hugs, being grandmother and mother to these young families who have loved ones so far away," Jones said about all of the volunteers who have given so gracelessly over the decades.

For location, hours of operations and more information about the Peterson thrift store, go to http://www.pscspousesclub.com/thrift-shop.html.

Thirift shop celebrates its volunteers