SAMS Place is here to help

  • Published
  • By Connie Hempel
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Just getting here and need some help settling into your new place? Is the family anxiously waiting for the household goods shipment? Perhaps you would like some books or clothes, but money's a little tight right now. Maybe you're having a problem that you don't feel comfortable talking about to your superiors. Don't worry, we've got a place for you: SAMS Place. Believe it or not, SAMS can help you with many of your needs.

Formerly known as the Airmen's Attic, Goodfellow's Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors Place, referred to as SAMS, isn't just another thrift store. Their mission is to provide mentorship and clean, serviceable items to Team Goodfellow.

Located in Building 144 behind the Airmen & Family Readiness Center, they are here to give members a hand up, not just a hand out, according to Staff Sgt. Patricia Vigil, SAMS Place volunteer organizer from the 315th Training Squadron. Whether it's uniforms, kitchenware, furniture or even toys you're looking for, they have a variety of items available to all branches and all ranks. Currently E-1 to E-6 personnel are authorized to receive 30 items a month; others can obtain items, too, with a donation, she said.

"All items are donated by people who care about you and care that you're doing well," Sergeant Vigil said. "We want to show Team Goodfellow that we are a caring community. We care about their wellbeing and we want to help them when they're having problems."

SAMS Place is operated strictly on donations and Sergeant Vigil said they're always looking for clean, serviceable items such as baby items, furniture and clothes.

In addition to offering items, another goal of SAMS is to mentor and guide people through problems. With volunteers ranging from the finance career field to instructors, military training leaders and spouses, the staff has various levels of knowledge.

"We can offer a lot of information to connect you anywhere on base to help you," Sergeant Vigil said. "We want them to know that we all may get in trouble at some point, but staying out of trouble is the goal. We want them to be able to come to us as mentors and say, 'I'm having a problem,' before it becomes a full blown, 'I'm in trouble'."

Volunteering at SAMS lets Staff Sgt. Charmaine Moss, 315th TRS, meet a variety of people, but she said most importantly she gets to help people.

"That's why we're here," she said.

Along with the wealth of knowledge the staff holds, they can turn to any of their partners for help: Airman and Family Readiness Center, Family Advocacy, first sergeants, commissary, base exchange, 17th Force Support Squadron, Women's Infants and Children's, La Leche league and the San Angelo Women's Shelter.

"We do hands-on help and continue to help and checkup on them until they can get their feet on the ground," Sergeant Vigil said.

So whether you need assistance settling in or are simply facing hard times, stop by SAMS and let the staff help you get a hand up.

To volunteer or for more information, call 325-654-3298.