'Saddle Up' and join the OSC during silent auction

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Neil Samson
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The Mountain Home AFB Officers' Spouses' Club will host its tenth annual charitable themed auction March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Gunfighter Club to help raise money for scholarships offered to Gunfighter spouses and children.

Auction items are donated from local businesses, members of the local community and squadrons on base. The night will begin with dinner followed by a Best of the West-themed silent auction and a live auction.

"This year's theme is Wild Wild West," said Amber Kistler, OSC president. "Mosey on Over for a night filled with the 'Best of the West' silent auction or practice your quick draw during the live auction. If neither of those things tickles your fancy, we hope you still come out, enjoy some barbecue and chatting with the locals."

The three scholarship categories offered this year consist of the High School Academic Scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors, the Billie J. Havard Spouse Scholarship awarded to military spouses and the Vocational Scholarship awarded to students or spouses who exhibit potential and desire to complete a program leading to a vocation degree or certification. The number of scholarships awarded in each category will be based off funds raised and donated.

"In May 2009 the OSC, in combination with the Enlisted Spouses Club, was able to award the sum of $22,000 in college scholarships to military dependents. Thirteen well-deserving students benefited from these scholarships, which ranged in size from $500 to $4,500," said Mrs. Kistler.

The OSC helps raise money for more than just scholarships; they also help support the local community.

"From June 2008 through May 2009, the MHAFB OSC donated funds to local and military organizations in need," said Mrs. Kistler. "Some of the organizations that benefited from our efforts last year include the National Military Family Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Oregon Trail Reading Council, Mountain Home High School Student Government, Gunfighter Attic, Mountain Home High School Choir, Elmore County 4-H Club, Air Force Village, Liberty Chapel VBS, Base Primary School Accelerated Reader Program, Mountain Home Schools and many, many others."

The annual auction is not the only way the OSC helps raise money throughout the year to help support these organizations. They also run the Thrift Shop on base where they sell donated items or have items for sale by consignment.

Consignments occur when customers bring in their own items from home. Customers set their price for each item they bring in. Customers earn 75 percent of the profit from a sale and the thrift shop earns 25 percent. The thrift shop also earns money through donations.

"With donations, the thrift shop earns 100 percent of the profits," said Julie Layne, Thrift Shop co-manager. "Customers can hand-carry their items to the shop or drop them off at the donations container located at the back of the shop."

And they have plenty of people dropping items off at the shop.

"We get quite a conglomeration of items," said Mrs. Layne, "We have received interesting items from a lawnmower to a punching bag set we sold for $50, but is worth $100 in a sporting goods shop."

"The staff consists of eight to 12 people." said Michelle Condon, Thrift Shop co-manager. "The volunteers are active duty spouses, one retired military spouse and active duty Singapore spouses. But, we are always welcoming volunteers because we are always low on help."

The Thrift Store is only open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but accomplished a feat many stores in Mountain Home would be envious of - they had a record breaking day of $1,247 sold Jan. 7.

"It was the first day open after Christmas break," said Mrs. Condon. "It was the normal donations we normally get, but this time, we were closed two weeks before that, and we had more to sell."

"Our sales are strictly based on how much quality merchandise we get through donations and consignments because it greatly affects the amount of profit we make in a week," said Mrs. Layne.

To learn more about the silent auction, how to make a donation or consignment to the Thrift Store, or volunteer your time with the OSC, visit www.mountainhomeosc.org.