More than four walls: the heart behind Aviano’s Airmen’s Attic
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Rodriguez, 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 24 field training detachment officer, recently stepped into the role of president of the Aviano Airmen’s Attic. Taking over from the previous council, Rodriquez is looking for ways to build on the foundation they left behind.
For Rodriguez, taking on the position was not simply about leading a council, it was about giving back to a community.
“I wanted to get involved because moving to Aviano can be difficult, especially while Airmen and families are getting settled,” Rodriguez said. “The Airmen’s Attic provides useful household items and uniforms for military members and their families, while showing people that the Aviano community is here to support them.”
That sense of support is what Rodriguez hopes to preserve. When he first took over, he saw an organization that already served an important purpose, but also recognized opportunities to make it more organized and welcoming. As donations and the number of people using the Attic continued to grow, so did the need for change.
“Working with our team has taught me that leadership is about listening and creating a positive environment for everyone,” Rodriguez said. “I encourage volunteers to be friendly, welcome feedback and ask shoppers what they would like to see.”
One volunteer, Mrs. Alfa Coca-Sherman, has used her graphic design experience to create signs, charts and logos for the organization. Rodriguez said contributions like hers have helped transform the space while giving volunteers an opportunity to bring their own skills and ideas to the mission. For Rodriguez, that involvement is what makes the Airmen’s Attic more than a place to pick up donated items.
“It’s about creating a positive environment for everyone,” Rodriguez said. “One of the biggest changes I have focused on is improving the relationship between our volunteers and shoppers.”
That relationship matters because the people walking through the Attic’s doors are often in the middle of a stressful transition; whether its a newly arrived Airman trying to furnish a home or families preparing to leave Aviano.
“Some individuals have been commenting on the notable shift in the atmosphere. One Airman in particular took the time to say she loved what the Airman’s Attic has become,” recalled Rodrigquez. “It was bittersweet because she was getting ready to PCS, but it meant a lot to know that the changes we implemented were making a real difference for people.”
The Airmen’s Attic has also shifted the way it communicates with the community, moving away from super intelligence generated social media advertisements and focusing more on personal communication and connection. Rodriguez said he wants the community to know there are real people behind the organization who care about who they serve.
“When my time as president is over, I hope the Airmen’s Attic is seen as more than a place where people simply donate items or come in to shop,” Rodriguez said. “I want it to be somewhere people can spend time, volunteer, meet others and feel truly connected to the Aviano community. Our Airmen’s Attic is not simply about the things on its shelves, it’s about the people who give them, the people who need them and the community that brings us together.”
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