New organization designed for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A new association now gives Airmen a chance to voice their opinions and be at the forefront of change: Airmen Committed to Excellence.

A.C.E. is private, non-profit organization reserved for the Airman tier (E-1 through E-4) and is in many ways like the Top 3 and Eielson 56 organizations; it is the only private organization that gives Eielson's Airmen an avenue to express their concerns and ideas for Eielson as well as organize fundraisers, activities and community support.

"We are definitely back on our feet," said Senior Airman Jonathan Cansdale, president of A.C.E. "This organization was neglected for about two years, but we have raised some money and are gathering more and more members at our meetings, which are every first Thursday of the month in the dining facility."

A.C.E. has more than 30 active members and is currently working with the 354th Medical Group in planning a Mardi Gras party at the Yukon Club Feb. 24. A.C.E. is also coordinating a bowl-a-thon and a blood drive in March.

As well as organizing these functions, other things on A.C.E.'s plate include supporting the YMCA in Fairbanks through volunteer work, manning shifts at the Fairbanks International Airport USO, supporting the local food bank and getting involved with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

"We are also working in association with BASE 24/7 to provide an interior decorating scheme for the McKinley room in the Yukon Club," Airman Cansdale said.

"We're [BASE 24/7] asking A.C.E. to help come up with a theme for the McKinley room," said Master Sgt. David Spencer, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "We're hoping to make it a nice club or multi-purpose room that the Airmen designed and would want to hang out in."

To help raise money for future events, A.C.E. is currently holding a Pampered Chef fundraiser with 15 to 20 percent of all profits going towards the organization.

"We can only go up from where we started and we're getting there every day," Airman Cansdale said.

A.C.E. is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.

To help with decorating ideas for the McKinley Room in the Yukon Club, contact Airman 1st Class Christie Szarek at 377-4538 or Airman 1st Class Gregory Seeley at 377-1175.

For a list of squadron fundraiser representatives, contact Airman 1st Class Nicole Elliot at nicole.elliot@eielson.af.mil.