Volunteer Action Council paints the town

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Members of the Volunteer Action Council meet at a local Anchorage home to begin community improvements with the Paint the Town project June 1, 2009. The Paint the Town campaign is a volunteer project that will restore the exterior of 25 local homes with a new coat of paint.(U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Stephen Patrick)

Volunteer Action Council paints the town

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Tech. Sgt. Crystal Trevino, FTAC Instructor, scrapes paint from a local Anchorage home in efforts with the Volunteer Action Council and their Paint the Town project. The Paint the Town campaign is a volunteer project that will restore the exterior of 25 local homes with a new coat of paint.(U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Stephen Patrick)

Volunteer Action Council paints the town

Published June 2, 2009
By Senior Airman Stephen Patrick
3rd Wing Public Affairs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Elmendorf Volunteer Action Council has served a role in the Anchorage community for the past 22 years.

Participants have left their footprint in the community with past projects such as Habitat for Humanity, where members built houses for families in need, and a major renovation of the Covenant House, a home for wayward teens.

The council remains active in today's community with upcoming projects such as the national Paint the Town campaign, volunteers will help paint the exterior of 25 homes. The campaign begins Saturday and ends June 13. Volunteers from Elmendorf Air Force Base will be focusing on two homes.

"It will show that there is a military community that wants to reach out to the rest of the community and make a positive difference," said Tech. Sgt. Crystal Trevino, the Volunteer Action Council president. "We aren't just about fighting and winning wars, we are about helping those in need. It's what makes America the best place in the world."

In the future, the VAC will be involved with the Special Olympics. "Volunteering helps people who might otherwise suffer without the assistance," said Trevino. "It provides a sense of fulfillment to those who do it."

"It's also a great way to make new friends and build camaraderie," she said.

People who would like to get involved can contact Robert Hill at robert.hill@elmendorf.af.mil or Tech. Sgt. Crystal Trevino at crystal.trevino@elmendorf.af.mil.