FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Soldiers from D Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, Class 11-013 spent May 7 giving back to those who "provide and give so much to them."
The project was to improve the vacant Armed Forces Bank building into "move-in" condition for the thrift shop by moving, organizing, painting and cleaning.
"There is a lot that needs to be painted and cleaned. It's dirty and dusty and hasn't been occupied in some time," said 2nd Lt. Nolan Kohlrusch.
Operation Thrift Shop began at 8 a.m. as Soldiers used about 20 gallons of paint, cleaned rooms, capped wires and moved inventory.
"We want to get to a point where we are ready from a safety stand point to move so customers can shop and make purchases," said Donna Woodham, thrift shop manager and bookkeeper.
The project began on two different fronts. Woodham received an e-mail and phone call from the garrison office asking if the thrift shop would be interested in moving into the vacant building.
"After we completed a walk through, we decided this was an opportunity to have a beautiful building and perfect location," Woodham said.
The building is about 2,000 square feet bigger than the thrift shop's current location on Gladiator Street, which happens to be in an old World War II-era building.
Soldiers from Class 11-013 also developed ideas for their community service project, a tradition for the basic officer leadership course.
"When I took on the job as project manager and started generating ideas and researching, I noticed a lot of the past projects were getting away from Fort Rucker. We wanted to do something right here," said Kohlrusch.
"After several ideas, it was mentioned the thrift shop was getting ready to move and could use some help," said 2nd Lt. Jesse Pope. "After some investigating, we decided it was a place that directly benefits people in our community that live, work and play here."
"It's right here where we live - right in the middle of it," added Kohlrusch.
"It's a perfect project for a group of our size. We were be able to get in there and condense what would have taken thrift shop staff a matter of weeks to complete into four to five hours," Pope continued.
The thrift shop gave $51,766 to Fort Rucker and surrounding communities in 2010, including the Fort Rucker food locker, library, military police department and Wounded Warrior Project, according to Woodham.
"There is really no better organization that is more deserving of a little bit of our time on the weekend," said Pope.
While helping the thrift shop is the Soldiers' main priority, they also get a lot out of the experience of volunteering.
"We focus a lot on what the benefits are for the people we are helping. A lot of time it gets missed that we benefit a lot from this, too," Pope said. "For junior officers, like ourselves, there is a lot we get out of this and for a lot of us this will not be the last time we come to Fort Rucker. It will be a place we will be coming back to. "It's gratifying to us to see the improvements as our careers progress. To know you helped improve Fort Rucker is a good feeling."
After a day's work, the thrift shop is ready for the move and will hold its grand opening July 13.
"We are absolutely thrilled this group of Soldiers could help us get things ready. We rely heavily on volunteers and donations and that was the only way we could have made this happen," said Woodham.
"This gives us a sense of satisfaction for doing a good job and knowing we helped someone out. And for those new to the Army it sets a precedent and lets them feel what it's like to volunteer, which tends to kind of feed upon itself. It feels good, it's rewarding, I met some cool people and I'd like to do it again," Pope said.
To donate unwanted items to the thrift shop, bring them in Wednesdays-Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or drop them in the 24 hour donation shed in front of the shop located on Gladiator Street.
"Clean out your closet or shed and bring us something you're not using, because when we sell that merchandise the money goes back to the Fort Rucker community," added Woodham.
For more information or if interested in volunteering, call 255-9595.
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