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Emergency shelter provides for those in need

By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez , Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published June 26, 2011

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Thousands had to evacuate the city soon after sirens were heard in Minot June 22, which prompted base leadership to begin operations in support of base personnel affected by the flooding situation.

Among one of the actions taken by Air Force Global Strike Command's Minot AFB was the offering of emergency shelter and facility services to all displaced DoD personnel.

"In our emergency shelter we have opened our doors to retirees, active duty, DoD civilians and contractors and their families," said Cindy Whitesell, 5th Force Support Squadron chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "We have also offered an RV overflow parking area for those who would like to use it."

The A&FRC has kept track of the number of displaced personnel who are utilizing the emergency shelter and presently, a total of 63 people are there, including 12 families, with more expected to arrive each day. Ms. Whitesell explained the A&FRC has continually been working together with emergency shelter personnel to provide supplies and food to the families and there has been a tremendous amount of support received from the base community.

Ruby Hood, 5th Operations Support Squadron facility manager, said the shelter offers a variety of things for the displaced families including bedrooms, a laundry facility, TV entertainment area, movie room, children's play area, café, computer room, free Wi-Fi and a kitchen full of a variety of food and snacks.

"Families are free to utilize the kitchen area," said Ms. Hood. "We've gotten a lot of food donated to us and more keeps coming every day."

Maj. William Byers, 5th OSS assistant director of operations, said there is designated transportation for families to the Dakota Inn Dining Facility where they can receive hot meals.

The major said since the beginning, the standup of operations at the emergency shelter have been a lot easier due to the tremendous support the wing has provided.

"We have had excellent volunteer support all around," said Major Byers. "They've helped us with anything from bring supplies up here, cleaning, organizing rooms and identifying needs for families."

Stephanie Ballard, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron key spouse mentor, has been in charge of organizing food donations at the shelter and said she's proud of the network of support the key spouses have received from people on base everywhere.

"Everything is working out great because the message is getting out about the importance of helping out families at this shelter," said Mrs. Ballard. "I hear people here talk about how grateful and appreciative they are of our help. We've really tried to go above and beyond in providing for the families needs."

Sarah Eliason, whose father is a DoD employee here, said she was thankful the base offered shelter because she has three children and when the order came down to evacuate immediately, she wasn't going over leaps and bounds to find a place to stay.

"It was difficult to have to leave home but I try to make the best of what I can get," said Mrs. Eliason. "Right now my kids are still adjusting from being away from home, but overall they've been doing great. I try to make things as familiar as they were before for them."

Mrs. Eliason said she couldn't really have asked for more and expressed the services she has had at the shelter has been excellent.

"My children are the most important thing to me and I appreciate all the help we have received," said Mrs. Eliason.
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