BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Barksdale's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program received a $2,000 donation from the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 615 July 10.
AFSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping improve the quality of life and economic fairness that will support the well-being of Air Force enlisted personnel; active-duty, retired and veteran. Chapter 615 of the AFSA donated more than $70,000 to the local community and base last year.
"We decided to donate to AADD because one of the responsibilities of AFSA is to be involved with the community both locally and on base," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Maiette, AFSA president. "We saw this as a great opportunity for our organization to help because our Airmen are doing a great job reaching out and taking care of our folks through the AADD program. This gives us an opportunity to help them help others."
Barksdale's AADD program provides a reliable, safe ride home for Airmen whose plans fall through while drinking.
"The organization has become an essential component of the 2nd Bomb Wing safety program," said Joseph Remy, AADD president. "Our mission is to reduce the number of alcohol related incidents on Barksdale Air Force Base and in the surrounding community by providing military members and their dependents with a no questions asked safe ride home without using the chain of command and without fear of repercussion."
According to Remy the organization has been responsible for 675 saves this year alone.
"There has been a tremendous increase in saves from 2009 until now," said Remy. "In 2009, there were about 70 saves, in 2010 about 80, 2011 it was a little over 600. We have increased the number of saves by 87 percent since 2010."
Remy attributes the increase in the number of saves to the overall awareness of the AADD program.
AADD relies solely on volunteer Airmen to man the AADD hotline from 11 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, holidays and down days.
"The 2011 AADD council set the precedent of giving praise and recognition to volunteers for donating their valuable time and efforts to serve others," said Remy. "Our 2012 Council members were elected on the premise that we would sustain and grow an already thriving organization. It is with this intent that our new council has expanded its 'Rewards Program' and will focus on rewarding our volunteers."
The council plans to use the donation to help with the rewards program by providing volunteer appreciation lunches, coins, gas cards and t-shirts to the volunteers.
Anyone who needs a ride, would like to volunteer or for more information call 456-AADD (2233).