This last weekend I attended my fifth Ramstein Welfare Bazaar.
I spent more money than I should have on things I did not need and ate too many brats, tacos and bowls of gumbo, but I had a marvelous time and remain unrepentant regarding my excess.
I am admittedly a power shopper, but the Ramstein bazaar is much more than spending money. It is about people coming together to do wonderful things to support our schools, youth sports programs and other activities on and off base and even back in the U.S. This, for me, defines the U.S. Air Force and our military community at its very best.
For the last three events, I have been privileged to look behind the scenes and see the incredible work accomplished by a totally volunteer organization.
The 50-member bazaar committee is supported by civilian, contractor and military volunteers from across the KMC. People affiliated with the Air Force and other military services and even individuals previously stationed at Ramstein volunteer year after year just to help out. Military units and other organizations sell refreshments to raise money for their own booster clubs and add a special “flavor” to this very festive event.
But just because it’s a volunteer organization, do not think this is “amateur hour.” These folks are managing millions of dollars, overseeing support contracts, ensuring compliance with host nation laws and making sure we meet safety standards while organizing (and feeding) hoards of volunteers.
I hesitate to single out any particular groups, but volunteers from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing provided security, services, civil engineering and communications expertise that is absolutely critical to this effort. A special thank you goes out to both of these USAFE wings.
I also want to thank the vendors — more than 300 of them — for bringing the wonderful treasures of Europe to our doorstep. It is not a bazaar without you. Thank you.
This year, the bazaar committee set up pie charts, like the one displayed on this Page, so customers could see how all the money collected is used.
Of particular interest to me is that more than a quarter of a million dollars is distributed across our community, with more than half of that going to our Department of Defense Dependents Schools and scholarships for our youth and spouses. Though these are the results of the 2009 bazaar, this year’s results promise to be just as good and the distribution of funds will reflect the same diversity.
Litha and I want to express particular appreciation to Schrie Simpson, Gina Van Orsdol and Tina Redanz. You kept us all moving forward on this yearlong effort and everybody got to the finish line with a smile — you can’t ask for more than that. To all who volunteered and all who purchased items in support of this effort, we offer our heartfelt thanks.
See photos of the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar on Page 9.
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This last weekend I attended my fifth Ramstein Welfare Bazaar.
I spent more money than I should have on things I did not need and ate too many brats, tacos and bowls of gumbo, but I had a marvelous time and remain unrepentant regarding my excess.
I am admittedly a power shopper, but the Ramstein bazaar is much more than spending money. It is about people coming together to do wonderful things to support our schools, youth sports programs and other activities on and off base and even back in the U.S. This, for me, defines the U.S. Air Force and our military community at its very best.
For the last three events, I have been privileged to look behind the scenes and see the incredible work accomplished by a totally volunteer organization.
The 50-member bazaar committee is supported by civilian, contractor and military volunteers from across the KMC. People affiliated with the Air Force and other military services and even individuals previously stationed at Ramstein volunteer year after year just to help out. Military units and other organizations sell refreshments to raise money for their own booster clubs and add a special “flavor” to this very festive event.
But just because it’s a volunteer organization, do not think this is “amateur hour.” These folks are managing millions of dollars, overseeing support contracts, ensuring compliance with host nation laws and making sure we meet safety standards while organizing (and feeding) hoards of volunteers.
I hesitate to single out any particular groups, but volunteers from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing provided security, services, civil engineering and communications expertise that is absolutely critical to this effort. A special thank you goes out to both of these USAFE wings.
I also want to thank the vendors — more than 300 of them — for bringing the wonderful treasures of Europe to our doorstep. It is not a bazaar without you. Thank you.
This year, the bazaar committee set up pie charts, like the one displayed on this Page, so customers could see how all the money collected is used.
Of particular interest to me is that more than a quarter of a million dollars is distributed across our community, with more than half of that going to our Department of Defense Dependents Schools and scholarships for our youth and spouses. Though these are the results of the 2009 bazaar, this year’s results promise to be just as good and the distribution of funds will reflect the same diversity.
Litha and I want to express particular appreciation to Schrie Simpson, Gina Van Orsdol and Tina Redanz. You kept us all moving forward on this yearlong effort and everybody got to the finish line with a smile — you can’t ask for more than that. To all who volunteered and all who purchased items in support of this effort, we offer our heartfelt thanks.
See photos of the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar on Page 9.