GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The fourth annual scholarship presentation by the Goodfellow Combined Spouses’ Club to spouses and dependents for continued education took place at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 19.
“Due to increased patronage at the store, this year we were able to give more than ever before,” said Goodfellow Thrift Store Chairperson, Amanda Haynes. “All of the profits from the thrift store goes toward either the scholarships or other welfare requests in the community.”
The store has undergone some changes throughout the years, starting as a place for enlisted personnel E1-E4 to find items they needed at a reduced price or for free. It was changed into a thrift store in 2014. After some renovations, it re-opened in January 2017 with new hours. They are open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as the first Thursday of the month they are open from 4-7 p.m.
“The store is completely volunteer based,” said Haynes. “The volunteers sort, price and move the items that are donated. Because of this we are able to put all of the proceeds back into the community.”
This year has been the most profitable year so far, allowing the GCSC to give $10,000 in scholarships to six dependents and spouses in addition to other requests they helped with throughout the year in the community.
“I had the privilege of serving as the chairperson for the scholarship committee this year,” said Master Sgt. Jennifer Negley, 316th Training Squadron flight chief. “We gathered community leaders, professors from the university and base leaders to blind judge all of the applications.”
Col. Jeffrey Sorrell, 17th Training Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Stein, 17th Training Group superintendent, presented the scholarships and stayed to enjoy refreshments with friends and family of the applicants and the GCSC.
“The best part of doing all the work is when you get to see the fruit of your labor,” said Haynes. “When we get to give back to the community like this, it makes the long hours worth it.”
Contact information for the Thrift Store: 325-654-3354
Contact information for scholarships: scholarshipsgsc@gmail.com