Team 5/6

Staff Sgt. Sarah Stacy-Smith, 352nd Operations Support Squadron (upper right), Staff Sgt. Lisa Patsios (upper left) and Senior Airman Leticia Elias (lower left) both from the 488th Intelligence Squadron, empty out-of-date popcorn from snack bags to be used as cattle feed for a less-fortunate family at the Newmarket Open Door, a charitable organization in Newmarket, England, Feb 6, 2009. The members of Team Mildenhall 5/6 were three of nine who volunteered their time to help the needy and build community ties with the British population.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)

Team 5/6

John Durrant, Newmarket Open Door general manager, explains how the charity works while members of RAF Mildenhall's Team 5/6 empty out-of-date popcorn from snack bags to be used as cattle feed instead of going into landfill Feb 6, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)

Team 5/6

Staff Sgt. Sarah Stacy-Smith of the 352nd Operations Support Squadron (upper left), Staff Sgt. John Aguon of the Joint Special Operations Air Component Europe(upper right), Staff Sgt. Lisa Patsios (lower left) and Senior Airman Leticia Elias (lower right) both from the 488 Intelligence Squadron, empty out-of-date popcorn from snack bags so that is can be used as cattle feed instead of going into landfill at the Newmarket Open Door Feb 6, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)

Mildenhall's Team 5/6 reaches out to the British community

Published Feb. 13, 2009
By Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Nine members from RAF Mildenhall's Team 5/6 volunteered at Newmarket Open Door - an organization dedicated to helping the less fortunate - as a way of supporting the community Feb. 6.

For video coverage of the event (produced by Tech. Sgt. Ron Flack) click HERE.

According to John Durrant, Newmarket Open Door general manager, the Airmen's support was invaluable.

"They provide a huge amount of work in a very short amount of time," he said and explained that the organization "takes in donated goods and then redistributes them to different charities and their members for a small handling charge."

During the event, the Airmen packaged out-of-date popcorn to be used as cattle feed for a family who couldn't support their livestock. It was an effort Tech. Sergeant Daniel Barr, a Joint Special Operations Air Component Europe radio operator, said was fulfilling.

"I feel great, I love doing this kind of stuff," he said. "It gives back to the community."

Along with helping the less fortunate, Team 5/6's efforts also help build ties with the local towns and people.

"It's very refreshing really, it's a different group of people, a different culture, we're divided by a common language," said Mr. Durrant. "We obviously hope they continue to come."

According to the organization's Web site, Newmarket Open Door, located in the town Newmarket, began in 1997 and now manages and provides assistance to various organizations.

These organizations provide supported housing for young people aged 16 to 30; homeless family accommodation; resale of donated furniture and second hand items; volunteer and training opportunities for disadvantaged people and the wider community; discounted food at two local restaurants and basic foodstuffs for people in emergency need; and distribution of donated food to people in need.

Editor's note: Team 5/6 is a professional organization for staff sergeants and technical sergeants. It meets on the second Thursday every month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone interested in joining should contact Tech. sergeant Barr at DSN 238-8029 or e-mail him at daniel.barr@mildenhall.af.mil.