Local club provides thousands of scholarship dollars annually Published May 4, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- As far back as the 1980's, the Offutt Officers' Spouses' Club has been using 100 percent of the profits from the Offutt Thrift Shop to give back to those in need. "Our primary mission is to raise funds for the OOSC Charitable Association Inc., for annual college scholarships and charitable donations to military and local non-profit organizations," said Teri Long, Offutt Thrift Shop chair, who acts as a liaison between the Offutt Officers' Spouses' Club Board of Governors and the Offutt Thrift Shop. "We have given out almost $18,000 since August 2014 to area schools and various other organizations. The OOSCCA gives away, on average, over $50,000 a year." A large chunk of the funds are also given to military dependents, both high school seniors and spouses, who will be attending a college or university in the fall. "[It] is our way of supporting the military members and their dependents in our community," said Leesa Henderson, OOSC Scholarships chair. "Last year we gave out $24,000 and this year we are giving out $22,000 in scholarships." Applicants for the scholarships can be dependents of active duty, retired, reserves, and deceased as well as government civilians of GS-7 and above. "There is a link to the scholarship application on our webpage, www.offuttosc.com, under the Scholarships tab and are available for download in October," Henderson said. "After all applications are received, a panel of judges scores them utilizing a rubric. Those scores are then used to select the recipients. Our panel consists of an active duty Airman stationed at Offutt, an OOSC board member, and an educator." The amount given out each year is dependent on the profits from the Offutt Thrift Shop, located in Castle Hall across from the Base Exchange. The shop is open Wednesday through Friday and the first and third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "Gently used or new items can be donated during business hours," said Martha DePinho, Offutt Thrift Shop inventory manager. "A receipt for tax purposes can be picked up from the cashier. They can also be dropped off 24 hours a day in our donation shed, located on the northwest corner of Castle Hall. There is a list posted of items we cannot take on the shed." Consigning is another option the shop offers. "Consigning items at the thrift shop is a wonderful and easy way to bring in supplemental income for active duty members, spouses and retirees," DePhino said. "Once consignors fill out a contract, they can consign two times a week and up to 20 items each time from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and the first and third Saturday of the month. They can also print off a consignment sheet on the Offutt Officer Spouse's Club web site under the thrift shop tab and fill it out at home saving them time." The consigner keeps 75 percent of the profit, while the other 25 percent goes to the Thrift Shop. "Consignors set their own pricing for their items, with a minimum price of $1.25 per item," said DePhino. "Consignor checks are ready to be picked up by the 10th of every month. Items are displayed for 60 days. If items are not picked up by the expiration date, they become thrift shop property and 100 percent of the profit goes to charity." Besides donating and consigning, the OOSC is always looking for volunteers to help run the shop. "Any amount of volunteer time is appreciated, whether it is a full day or just an hour," DePhino said. "Volunteering at the thrift shop is a very rewarding way to spend free time and experience and enjoy a positive and uplifting atmosphere. Volunteers will also meet and work with other motivated people ranging in age from young adults to retired seniors. Anyone interested in volunteering can stop by the shop and speak with the day chair or manager." The Offutt Thrift Shop can be reached via phone at (402) 294-6880 or email at thriftshop@offuttosc.com for more information. They also have a Facebook Page, Offutt Thrift Shop, which highlights new items for sale and which items are not being taken for consignment that week.