Airmen's Attic offers free items, community spirit Published Aug. 28, 2015 By Maj. Samuel Lee 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The first thing that comes to mind when you hear Airmen's Attic is probably the place to get free stuff. At Travis Air Force Base, California, it really should be community. Imagine opening up your trunk full of uniforms only to find that rats ate their way through or mold damaged your clothes during your permanent change of station move. Maybe you have family in town and need extra silverware and an air mattress to make your guests comfortable. Or perhaps your husband just deployed for a one-year assignment leaving you with two kids to deal with by yourself and you just need a place to vent some of your frustrations. These are some of the true stories shared by more than 700 Airmen and their families as they make their way through the Airmen's Attic each month to help fill a need. Terri Hornbuckle and her husband Master Sgt. Michael Hornbuckle, Band of the Golden West first sergeant, manage the shop each week and have volunteered tirelessly to keep it in top working order. Terri Hornbuckle managed the Airmen's Attic at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, for more than three years before bringing her expertise to Travis. She has now managed the Travis Airmen's Attic for the past two and half years. When asked why she volunteers more than 35 hours each week and turning down a $20-per-hour job offer to keep the Airmen's Attic operating, Terri Hornbuckle said, "I just fell in love with the organization and the thrill in people's eyes as they find something they love. It makes me happy helping Airmen and their families." Working in the Airmen's Attic also provides Terri Hornbuckle with a sense of calling and community. "I've met a lot of people and I love the feeling of community I get from working here," she said. The community impact of Travis' Airmen's Attic expands beyond the base's perimeter. When items sit too long on the packed shelves and clothing racks, they are donated to the Solano Mission to help make space for new donations. Excess books are donated to local schools and newer clothing items are delivered to David Grant USAF Medical Center's psychiatric ward to help fill the need there. It really takes a village to make the Airmen's Attic run. Terri Hornbuckle's husband assists by helping keep the place clean and even their daughter helps out by testing toys to make sure they work for the next child. Nely Mendoza and Lara Mao are also regular volunteers who play important roles. Mendoza, who has volunteered for more than one year, spends most of her time working the checkout stand and also holds babies so that their moms or dads can be hands-free to peruse the shop. Mao, who is 28 weeks pregnant, can be seen running around putting things in their place when she's not simultaneously trying to chase her own toddler. Her husband, Tech. Sgt. Sameth Mao, is a member of the 60th MXS and recently left on assignment to South Korea for one year. When thinking about the situation, she said, "We all have kids, husbands and families that deploy or go on TDY and we rely on each other for comfort we're one big family." If you have recently moved to Travis and need help filling in your home, then drop by the Airmen's Attic. It is now open to all ranks. With the peak moving season coming to a close, the Airmen's Attic has seen a recent influx of gently used household goods in need of a new home. The Airmen's Attic is located at 560 Hickam Ave. at Bldg. 247. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Guests are also welcome from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m every first and third Saturday. For the most up-to-date information on the Airmen's Attic, check out their Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1NHrrrV or call 424-8740.