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Show rT M F s July 29,2010 Formal dress loan Save the Date program helps out for special occasions Sept. 24, BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times correspondent T Courtesy illustration Children and emergency medical care BY CATHERINE MCNALLY Hilltop Times staff I t's hard for a parent to see their child get hurt, even if it's just a small bump or scratch. Sometimes it can be hard to tell when children need medical attention or when a home treatment will suffice. Parents know best Though doctors and qualified medical professionals can provide guidelines on when injuries are serious enough to merit a doctor's visit, it's important to remember that, as parents, you know your child best. The seriousness of medical conditions can vary from child to child, cautined Maj. Gary Ruesch, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric element chief for the 75th Medical Operations Squadron. Things like weight, age and current medical conditions can all factor into any situation, so it's important to realize that See EMERGENCY I page 14 he Belle of the Ball free dress loan program will host a donation drive displays," adds Higby. "A manneAug. 10, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., at quin really gives a 3D impression the Base Theater, Building 441. of the program." "Unfortunately some of the Fresh baked cookies will be dresses in our inventory are a little provided to all donors during the dated which is why we like to have donation drive, as well. an annual dress drive to keep our Zobrist and Higby are still in inventory current," says Kay Zoneed of volunteers to help the day brist, spouse of Col. Scott Zobrist, of the donation drive, as well as 388th Fighter Wing commander, volunteers to help with the dress and co-organizer of the dress loan loan program throughout the year. program with Heather Higby, "If we had a cadre of volunteers spouse of 75th Air Base Wing Com- to help we might be able to open mander Col. Patrick Higby. up for regular hours before major "Styles change, so I don't think base events like the Air Force Ball, I'll be donating my bridesmaid's graduations or the holiday party dress from that wedding in '95." season," says Zobrist. adds Zobrist. "But dresses from The Belle of the Ball program this millennium would be perfect currently operates on an appointto donate." ment basis. The dress loan program will "Just call me to set up a time to be accepting various donations view and try on the dresses," says throughout the day, from dresses Zobrist. "There is a changing room to other miscellaneous items. and we have a full length mirror. "We are accepting special occa- We do have a limited number of sion dresses in all sizes, short and shoes and purses also available for long," says Zobrist. "The dresses borrowing. The dresses come in all should be in new or gently used, sizes and styles. If a woman finds good condition. We don't have a something she wants to borrow, seamstress so the dresses need to she fills out a form, giving a dress be ready to wear and not require description, the approximate date repair. of its return and her contact information." "We occasionally have to pay for dresses to be cleaned, so monIf Zobrist and Higby get enough etary donations would be cheervolunteers to operate the program fully accepted. We currently have on a regular schedule, they feel it three 10-foot long dress racks, but would benefit the volunteers, the if someone had additional dress program users and the Air Force. racks they needed to get rid of, a "Volunteering is a great way to three-sided mirror or a riser stand,- pad your resume, you get a chance such as the ones used in a profes- to meet new people, learn new sional dress shop, we would cerskills and experience that great tainly find a place for it." feeling of making a difference," "It would also be nice to own a says Zobrist. "I think programs like the Belle of the Ball are very permanent mannequin for future important to morale and a sense advertisements and dress drive AIRMAN^ AIRMAN What is your favorite animal? Bear What is your favorite book? Sudoku What is your best Air Force experience? Seeing my family during Basic Military Training graduation What are your goals? Gain a Federal Aviation Association pilot certification If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you take with you? Fire starter material, a knife and a radio Air Force Ball Senior Airman Brandon Carlson 649th Munitions Squadron quote? "Life's like a blender/let's mix it up." Where are you hoping to get stationed next? McChord Air Force Base, Are you addicted to the social media frenzy (ie: Fa- Wash. cebook, Myspace etc.)? No What is that one movie you could watch over and Who is your celebrity over again? "Super Troopcrush? Kate Beckinsale ers" % What is your favorite of belonging on Air Force bases, although they are not funded by, nor sometimes even supported by, official Air Force agencies. These quality of life programs benefit a lot of people, both directly and indirectly. People who donate dresses or drop off donated dresses, volunteer for the program, donate other needed items, borrow dresses to attend functions and the people who are supported by their attendance all benefit directly. Indirectly we all benefit from increased productivity, and the general positive attitude generated by people doing good deeds. " "Finances are tight in our economy now, and the idea of borrowing a nice dress as opposed to purchasing a new one is very inviting," adds Higby. She recalled two women last fall who borrowed dresses for a wedding and "remarked that they were truly delighted not to have to pay the high prices of buying dresses, but only had to manage a small dry cleaning fee. They especifically appreciated that no one attending the event was aware that the dresses were borrowed. One even found shoes to go with her dress." The Belle of the Ball dress loan closet is currently located in the back of the Base Theater, on the north side of the building, near the corner of 6th and E Streets. The program is available to anyone with base access, active duty, reserve, civilian and contractors. Family members may also accompany the user. To set up an appointment to view dresses or to volunteer to help with the program or the donation drive, call Zobrist at (801) 525-8332. "Spouses are asked to make lots of sacrifices with today's operations tempo," she adds. "If we can loan one woman a dress so that she can attend an (Airman Leadership School) graduation, the Air Force Ball, a friend's wedding or a night out to celebrate her anniversary, then the program is not only worthwhile but successful." FIRST PITCH Col. Patrick Higby, 75th Air Base Wing commander, throws out the ceremonial first pitch at an Ogden Raptors game on July 27. Free tickets were made available through The Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee/ Hill Appreciation Night and events all night long involved lots of Team Hill representatives. For more photos see page 13. ALEX R. LLOYD U.S. Air Force Base |