SAN ANGELO, Texas -- A 315th Training Squadron instructor received the Community Builder Award for outstanding community improvement at the Concho Lodge #1260 April 2.
“The Community Builder Award was designed by the Grand Lodge Texas to enable our lodge to recognize outstanding non-Masons who have distinguished themselves through their service to the community, to the local state or national government, to their house of worship, or to humanity,” said Landon C. Webb, Concho Lodge #1260 Worshipful Master. “The award is presented to individuals who, although they have never been initiated into Masonry, have followed the same precepts, ideals and standards that have been established for Masonic behavior.”
Tech. Sgt. James G. Osborn, 315th Training Squadron instructor, demonstrated Masonic behavior as a volunteer leader for the Texas Ramp Project.
“The Texas Ramp Project is an organization that builds wheelchair ramps for those that are homebound and can’t afford to build their own wheelchair ramp,” said Osborn. “I lead a team from primarily Goodfellow, with other volunteers from the masonic lodge.”
In the Air Force, Airmen are encouraged to lead projects to improve their leadership skills. Osborn, however, had a different motive for volunteering with the Texas Ramp Project.
“I’m not big into the leadership thing, I just like building and seeing people be able to leave their house comfortably and easily,” he said.
Over the last 12 months, Osborn and his team built 12 ramps. Each ramp is unique, but built to the Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
“I build ramps as short as 4 feet and as long as 40 feet,” said Osborn. “It just depends on the person’s house.”
Osborn suggests volunteering for something you enjoy.
“If you volunteer for something you like, it makes it easy to continue to do it,” said Osborn. “If you don’t like what you’re volunteering for, then why do you keep volunteering for it?”
Osborn’s team meets every third Saturday of the month to build ramps within the San Angelo area. Those wishing to volunteer can contact Osborn at james.osborn.2@us.af.mil.