WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Combined Federal Campaign offers a chance for federal employees to positively impact lives around the globe and even those a few miles away from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.
Senior Airman Rochelle Hansen, NASIC accounts management technician, is currently on a mission to help three area CFC organizations keep those seeking their help warm this winter.
Hansen is collecting blankets for the St. Vincent De Paul Shelter, the Artemis Foundation and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Dayton. All three non-profit organizations provide help to those with nowhere to turn.
The St. Vincent De Paul Shelter helps adults and families living in Montgomery County and its surrounding communities who are on the brink of becoming homeless, or who are already homeless, by providing person-to-person emergency assistance and supportive services, according to their website www.stvincentdayton.org.
“I have always had the type of personality where, if I saw a homeless person or someone in need of help, I would drop everything and try to help to the best of my ability,” Hansen said. “The cold weather here has always made me think about the people who really need to stay warm over the winter, and this year I decided to do something about it.”
The idea to start the collection effort for these charities came to Hansen after she read a message on the St. Vincent De Paul website about their need for blankets and twin sheets. However, she also wanted to gather donations for the Artemis Foundation and the YWCA of Dayton for personal reasons.
“I targeted domestic violence shelters because I have personal experience with this, and I know how hard it can be to have the courage to try and get out of the situation and survive,” she said.
Hansen encourages NASIC staff to look through their closets to see if they have blankets or twin sheets they no longer need.
“We are very fortunate to have such a close-knit community on base that supports each other, and we have many resources within our reach,” she said. “These women, men and children leave all their belongings, homes and families trying to escape a situation that was not their fault. These shelters take families in and care for them, feed them and shelter them until they can get back on their feet, and are safe. Each blanket is keeping a domestic violence survivor warm this winter. Domestic violence is something that is frequently overlooked, and I want to do everything I can to help them make a difference in our community."
Hansen has donation boxes located around the center and will continue gathering blankets and twin sheets until Nov. 30.
“I made my first donation drop-off Nov. 5, and it was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time,” she said. “When I pulled up, there was a crowd of women and children huddling outside, waiting for the school bus to drop off their kids. When they saw me get out of the car and start unloading the bags of blankets and sheets, several of them came over just to shake my hand, and thank me.”
The St. Vincent De Paul Shelter, the Artemis Foundation and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Dayton are just three of the many area CFC organizations designed to help make the community better. The NASIC CFC is scheduled to run through Nov. 20. For information on making a donation, contact a unit CFC representative or Master Sgt. Asilynn Monroe, NASIC CFC chair. For more information about other Miami Valley CFC charities, visit www.cfcnca.org.