SAMS Place aims to help

  • Published
  • By Scott Jarmon
  • PUBLIC AFFAIRS
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  You're a new Airman on base, straight off the plane from technical training. Your sponsor has secured you a dorm room, which has a bed, dresser and nightstand and little else.  Where, you might think, can you find kitchen utensils, clothing or other necessities? 

The Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors' Place has you covered. Located across from the base parade grounds on Flightline Avenue, SAMS Place's mission is to provide enlisted servicemembers between the grades of E1-E6 with home necessities that would otherwise be expensive to buy.
 
Originally formed as the Airmen's Attic in 2000, the name was changed to SAMS Place to better reflect the service offered to enlisted members from all the joint services. 

"SAMS Place is here to help all servicemembers on Goodfellow get a hand up, not a hand out," said Staff Sgt. Patricia Vigil, one of the organizers. "Our goal is to raise the morale on base by easing some of the mental and financial burdens." 

Each month, servicemembers can take 30 items from SAMS Place, including uniform items, appliances, baby supplies and more.  Additionally, the SAMS Place team works with other base agencies to help improve servicemembers' quality of life. 

"It is a one-stop shop to get help with military life issues and correct them before they
become a problem," Sergeant Vigil said. "We work hand-in-hand with Family Advocacy, the Airman and Family Readiness Flight, the Health and Wellness Center, first sergeants and squadron leadership to identify the shortfalls associated with life on base and the San Angelo Area." 

Heading up the SAMS Place effort are Marine Staff Sgt. Karinna Muckey-Quizado, Sergeant Vigil and Airman 1st Class Inocencio Perez and his wife Alisha. Including these organizers, SAMS Place is entirely staffed by volunteers. 

Currently, SAMS Place hours are limited due to lack of volunteers. Hours are Tuesdays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4:30 - 7 p.m., Thursdays, 4:30 - 7 p.m., and every second and fourth Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Later this month, SAMS Place will move to its new home in Bldg. 144. Volunteers are needed to help with the move and to man the store after the move. To volunteer, call SAMS Place at 654-5781 or Staff Sgt. Vigil at 654-5916. 

Additionally, SAMS Place always needs large plastic containers to store clothing, as cardboard boxes tend to break down. Donations of clothing, appliances, books, kitchenware and other similar items are appreciated.