Airmen find new ways to improve Dormitory 224

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Preston Webb
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Every Airman deserves a place where he or she can relax and unwind. It's important to provide the best living arrangements possible for all Airmen to feel at home, especially for young Airmen in an overseas environment.

In an effort to increase the quality of life of its residents, the dormitory council for Dormitory 224 plans to become a private organization, capable of financing enhancements for living arrangements, by June 2014.

"Due to sequestration, we are unable to receive funds quarterly for dormitory improvements," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jessie McCall, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator from Pensacola, Fla. "Once we establish ourselves as a private organization, we will be able to raise our own funds toward improving both the building as well as the camaraderie among residents."

The council hopes to make a variety of changes around the dorm, such as purchasing new pots and pans for the kitchen area as well as painting and redecorating a number of public areas.

"We are going for a more modernized feel in the first floor dayroom," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexis Musumeci, 100th LRS vehicle operator from Madison, Wis. "The second floor will be a movie-theater-themed room, so we will be purchasing new TVs, new furniture and will paint that room as well."

A traditional dormitory council isn't able to hold fundraisers for legal reasons, Musumeci said. Becoming a private organization provides the council a legal way to make the improvements the Dormitory 224 Airmen are striving to accomplish.

"We intend to give a percentage of our proceeds to charitable organizations in order to strengthen community relations," McCall said. "Also, by conducting our own fundraisers, we are creating volunteer opportunities for the squadron."

To become a private organization, the council must produce a constitution covering matters such as responsibilities of members, methods of financing, meetings and an insurance policy. The constitution must then be routed through the first sergeant, the base legal office and the 100th Force Support Squadron to be approved.

"Our vision for Dormitory 224 is to create a safe and comfortable environment for all 100th LRS Airmen," Musumeci said. "Our dorms haven't seen change in quite some time, and this has been such an exciting and fulfilling project to see the Airmen work together to make a difference."