1. Our phone numbers have changed.Click here for more info

Dover receives outpouring of support from community

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (USTCNS) --- Although it may look like a supermarket storage room, a warehouse here filled with nonperishable items is actually where the USO Delaware has been storing the flood of donations they have recently received from the local military and civilian community.

Local corporations, restaurants, grocery stores, organizations, the general public throughout the DelMarVa region, as well as the Delaware National Guard, have all lent a hand in supporting the people of Dover AFB, said Chief Master Sgt. Gary Sanders, the distribution center coordinator.

"Restaurants have been supplying breakfast and lunch to the mortuary workers on a regular basis," said Sanders. "People have driven in truckloads of supplies from as far as Maryland or Philadelphia. Also, a corporation in Tennessee is sending a tractor-trailer containing nearly 1,500 cases of bottled water.

"We accept everything we can get with open arms," said Sanders. "Things we can't use like perishable items and clothing get re-donated locally."

"We're also thinking long term, and preparing for whatever may happen," said Joan Cote, USO Delaware executive director. "If troops deploy, things like hand soap and toothpaste will be important, so we're not turning anything away."

To deal with the massive amount of supplies coming in, USO volunteers, military members and spouses have worked 12- to 14-hour days unpacking and unloading donations. Also, there is a network of volunteers who go off base to drop-off points in the community to bring donations back to the base.

"We've had volunteers from many squadrons, from both 436th and 512th (Airlift Wings)," said Sanders. "Airman First Class Tim Herrmann, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, has been coming every night after work. One night we needed to move some metal shelves, and he went back to the dorms to get more people."

"There's been an outpouring of support from the base," said Cote. "Military people are coming out to take care of their own, working on the weekends and in their off-time."

Not everything the USO has received has been consumable. Flowers were donated for mortuary workers.

In addition to food and drinks, the donations have included medicine, blankets, toys and even dog food.

"We've received letters and posters for the people of New York City," said Cote. "One letter, scrawled in a child's handwriting, read 'I have just turned 13, the day before the tragedy. I felt that I needed to give something to the people. I took my B-Day money and got some supplies. Thank you, Tess.'

"Things like that, and everyone working together, make it all worthwhile," said Cote. "That and seeing the look of gratitude from mortuary workers or the security forces guards when we deliver a hot meal or cold drink."

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

Office of Public Affairs - transcom-pa@mail.mil
News Archive

Follow Us On:

Facebook      Instagram      Twitter      Flickr      LinkedIn


Connect to USTRANSCOM JECC AMC MSC SDDC
Office of Public Affairs|United States Transportation Command|Scott Air Force Base IL 62225-5357
This is a Department of Defense (DOD) computer system. Please read our Privacy, Accessibility, Use and Non-Endorsement Disclaimer Notice.