1st SOMSG Airmen give back to Shelter House

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hayden Hyatt
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Fifteen Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group reorganized storage space at the Shelter House in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., March 1.

The all-volunteer event was part of a broader program aimed at supporting the Shelter House during the next year. The Airmen reorganized storage spaces for the Shelter House in preparation for upcoming construction to their facilities.

"We got a group of people together within the 1st SOMSG and we voted on the Shelter House as the organization that our group will take on for the next year," said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Carter, 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron contract specialist, who volunteered.

The 1st SOMSG Airmen showed up on a Saturday to give back to a military friendly and supportive community.

"If there's anything that we can do for those around us that may not be as fortunate, we should," said Carter. "We need to do what we can and help others."

For these Airmen, helping the Shelter House is about more than just volunteering.

"Without a doubt, from the idea concept of this was all about reinforcing service before self," said Chaplain Maj. Chad Bellamy, 1st Special Operations Wing. "We're wearing the same uniform and we have all been charged to live by the core values."

The Shelter House, which is a non-profit center that helps victims of domestic and sexual violence, said they benefited from the help.

"With the limited staff, it's great to have volunteers to go through and help us get ready for the construction during the year," said Michelle Sperzel, Shelter House executive director.

This was not a one-time event for 1st SOMSG Airmen.

"This has been in the idea phase for about four months," said Bellamy. "We started this in November and we're engaging with the Shelter House right now about a return visit sometime in April."

Sperzerl said the Airmen from the 1st SOMSG made a lasting impression on her.

"I think it's amazing," she said. "The fact that everybody ends up traveling so much and that they choose to really get ingrained in their community and make it their home is a phenomenal trait."