RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Randolph Thrift Shop, which turns 60 years old this year, reflects the spirit of giving that characterizes military members.
It all started with the efforts of Lena Browning, a charter member of the Enlisted Wives' Club, who sought assistance, borrowed money and collected donated items.
The thrift shop opened Sept. 2, 1948. With the approval of Maj. Gen. James Hodges, commander of the Flying Division of Air Training Command, the shop's mission was to provide an avenue for military personnel on Randolph to buy and sell their items and raise money for welfare and scholarships for military children.
The thrift shop was expanded into a joint effort of the Officers' Spouses' Club and the EWC at Randolph and continues that same tradition today. Both clubs provide the volunteers that work at the thrift shop.
Since its inception, the thrift shop has been housed in many buildings on Randolph. The current building is located behind 19th Air Force. Though faced with a challenge each time the shop had to move, the EWC and OSC appreciated the continued support of the military command at Randolph in ensuring that the thrift shop had a building.
This support has made it possible for the thrift shop to donate approximately $1 million over the last 60 years to local military and civilian community charities and provide scholarships to military/Department of Defense children through the EWC and OSC welfare funds.
Approximately $600,000 of this was generated from the thrift shop in the last 14 years alone, from 1992 to 2006.
This year's total scholarship donation was approximately $56,000. This provided 35 scholarships of at least $1,000 each to graduating seniors of military dependents from local area high schools. Each of these scholarship recipients was personally recognized at ceremonies hosted by the OSC and the EWC this month.