Page 8 - Desert Wings 5-29-15

Desert Wings May 29, 2015

8 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings

Base Supply Centers celebrate 20 years of service

by Kenji Thuloweit and people with other disabilities. QL¿FDQWGLVDELOLWLHV¿QGHPSOR\-
Editor The I.B. in IB Express stands ment by working within a network
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A cozy ceremony was held in- for Industries for the Blind. For cies that sell products and services
side the Base Supply Center May the past two decades, the compa- to the U.S. government.
19 where 412th Mission Support ny has run AbilityOne Base Sup-
Group leadership joined BSC em- ply Centers across the country, in- “They (BSC’s) are much more
ployees and executives of IB Ex- cluding the one here on Edwards. than just an office supply store,
press to celebrate the company’s Today, IB Express operates 152 they are part of our community,”
20 years of service to the military BSCs. said C.J. Lange, IB Express chief
and for their role in promoting op- H[HFXWLYHRI¿FHU³2YHUWKH\HDUV
portunities for the sight-impaired The AbilityOne Program is a the BSC program has succeeded
federal initiative to help people in providing thousands of jobs for
who are blind, or have other sig- people who are blind and severely
disabled. Many of these are local
residents who would otherwise Air Force photographs by Kenji Thuloweit
have few opportunities for em-
ployment.” CEO of IB Express, C.J. Lange, presents Edwards AFB’s Base Supply
Center manager, Patricia Kondrotas, a 20th anniversary plaque for the
Lange also said BSC’s employ store during a ceremony May 19. IB Express operates 152 AbilityOne
many retired military, dependents Base Supply Centers nationwide.
and wounded warriors.
IB Express, the company that runs AbilityOne Base Supply Centers spoke about how her employees disabled people and even wounded
nationwide, dropped by Edwards to celebrate its 20-year partnership with The BSC on Edwards has been really love working at the BSC warriors,” said Kondrotas.
the DOD. The Edwards Base Supply Center has been open for 13 years. operating for 13 years and has and how she has had to open up
four employees. the store several late nights to en- To learn more about the Abili-
sure Airmen got the proper sup- tyOne Program, or to buy supplies
Government Purchase Card plies before their deployment the for your office, visit the BSC at
KROGHUVFDQEX\RI¿FHDQGEXLOG- next day. 115 Gregorius Ave., Bldg. 3736,
ing supplies, along with uniforms Door 9.
and military accessories for their “We’re here to support the Air-
XQLWRURI¿FH men and the base, and when you Call 661-258-9422 for any ques-
shop here, you’re helping a great tions about the BSC and its mer-
“We are a one-stop shop and program out that creates jobs for chandise.
our goal is to serve our customers
in any way possible,” said Patricia
Kondrotas, Edwards BSC store
manager.

Lange presented Kondrotas
with a coin and a 20-year anni-
versary plaque for the store. She

WORSHIP
DIRECTORY

Pastor Paul Chappell Lancaster Baptist is an independent, Baptist OUR SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30 am To advertise
church with a friendly, family atmosphere; LUTHERAN CHURCH SPANISH SERVICE 12:30 pm in the Worship
compassionate vision; and strong commitment
to Bible truth. We offer classes specifically Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Sunday School .....................................9:00 AM Directory,
designed for military families and singles, Join Thursday Family Night ........................6:00 PM please call
us this Sunday at 0830 or 1100 Pastor Brian Diring !DULT