KMC to hold Fall Cleanup event

by Master Sgt. Edward J. Seeley Sr. Facilities Excellence Team superintendent

Cleaning our work areas and residences is sometimes neglected due to the busy operational tempo of the KMC. Designating time specifically for the upkeep of our facilities helps to remind us that a clean work and living area improves the working environment and the appearance of our on-base housing to our residents and visitors. This is why the 86th Airlift Wing, alongside U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, is hosting a Fall Cleanup event scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Nov. 3 and end at 4 p.m. Nov. 4.

A “clean where you work” day will be on Nov. 3 for cleaning administrative and industrial facilities, grounds and common areas across the KMC by facility managers and building occupants. Objectives for this day include collecting litter, pulling weeds, trimming overgrown shrubs, tidying plant beds, removing tree limbs and pine cones, raking, and placing debris into biodegradable bags. Interior suggestions include cleaning stairwells, entries, carpets, and storage rooms, purging old files, washing windows and minor touch-up painting. The standard areas of responsibility extend 100 feet in all directions from buildings, including nearby parking lots and sidewalks.

According to Marc Fischer, KMC U-Fix-It store customer representative, facility managers may check out many types of hand and power tools, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, power washers, rakes, shovels, etc., that can help facility managers get the work done. The KMC U-Fix-It store is located on Ramstein, Bldg. 505, and can be reached at 480-5034. Store hours are from 7 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 7 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. on Fridays.

A “clean where you live” day will be Nov. 4 and will focus on cleaning military family housing exteriors. Dorm occupants are also included. Goals for this day include weeding, trimming, raking and placing debris into bio bags.

“Take the time to attend to your communities, including common areas like playgrounds, walkways and areas around the underground trash containers,” said Staff Sgt. Irina P. Henderson, KMC Facilities Excellence Team augmentee staff.

“Though participation is mandatory for housing residents, this is a great opportunity to team with your neighbors to foster community pride in the areas where you live and play,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Kernodle, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron. “This model of responsibility not only shows your pride, but models an era of responsibility to your children.”

“The KMC Self-Help Store has a variety of equipment, tools and materials available to assist in this spring cleanup,” said Carl Liebhardt, KMC Self-Help Store customer representative. “We can provide grass seed for bare lawn areas, and we also have biodegradable bags for  weeds and leaves.”

For additional information, contact the KMC Housing Self-Help stores on Ramstein, Bldg. 859, at 06371-46-39520, or on Vogelweh, Bldg, 1049, at 0631-357-90915.

The 786th Civil Eng-ineer Squadron Facilities Excellence Team will pick up tree limbs, bagged leaves and weeds at curbside for later composting. Cleanup participants should separate tree branches and shrubs into two piles at curbside — one for small wood stems up to 4 inches in diameter and another for larger material. Weeds and leaves should be placed in biodegradable bags at curbside away from dumpsters for FET pickup. Non-biodegradable items should be bagged and disposed of in garbage dumpsters. Items such as batteries, glass, bulk paper and metal should be taken to the nearest recycling center on Ramstein, Bldg. 5146, and on Kapaun, Bldg. 2820.

There will be nine staging locations with attendees and bio bags available, but residents are urged to come well equipped with ample supplies. Ramstein will have three staging locations: California Avenue and Columbia Avenue at Donnelly Park; Texas Circle and California Avenue at the park; and Kansas Street and Michigan Avenue in the middle of the park. Vogelweh will have four staging locations: near Bldg. 1191 by the softball field; across from Bldgs. 1070 and 1487; between Bldgs. 2701, 2702 and 1310; and across from Bldg. 1139. The Kapaun staging location will be next to Bldg. 2763. The Landstuhl staging location will be at the corner of Walter Reed Drive and Gorgas Avenue.

Take this opportunity to log off of the computer, close the daily planner, leave the meeting room behind, and take up a rake or a broom. When you do, you’re showing pride not only in yourself but also in our installations.