CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Airmen Against Drunk Driving council welcomed its newest council officers July 24 to take on the leadership responsibilities of the AADD volunteer program.
The new election of AADD officers is the first of several changes envisioned to take place this year. The program's mission, "Wingmen saving lives," will remain the same, said Tech. Sgt. Kenneethia Kennard, the former AADD president.
The fuel for keeping the program running came in the form of passionate people, said Sergeant Kennard, an 11-year supporter of the AADD program.
Each Friday and Saturday, the AADD volunteers provide a safe ride home for any Department of Defense identification card holder who calls the AADD cell phone between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
"I've been involved with AADD since my second base in the military," said Sergeant Kennard. "It's time to turn it over and let some new ideas and some fresh faces in.
"Since I became president last July, I've seen the ones that do volunteer to help. They are very committed," she said. "It's a volunteer program. If we don't have volunteers, it doesn't happen."
A recent AADD survey of Airmen from seven squadrons in the 437th Airlift Wing showed 11 percent had never heard of volunteering for AADD.
Of the Airmen surveyed, 58 percent reported they would consider volunteering as a driver for AADD.
For those unable to drive, the AADD program also needs volunteers to be on-call dispatchers to answer pickup requests on the AADD cell phone.
Additionally, the program is also in need of primary or alternate representatives for the individual squadron AADD rotations. The program has found a challenge in connecting with enough individuals to fill these roles, said Sergeant Kennard.
"That's the problem we're having," she said. "All it takes is those few passionate leaders [to fill the roles]."
Airman 1st Class Jeremy Burns, a photographer with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron who recently arrived at Charleston, said even though he may have known about the program, he didn't exactly know where to begin.
"I'd volunteer for it right now," Airman Burns said.
The AADD representatives provide squadrons with a point of contact to relay general information to Airmen about the AADD program, such as how the program operates, what weekend their unit is scheduled for and how they can participate.
"On that younger level, these folks are out there and they see more. They're in the larger squadrons, and they can pull in that extra support that seems to be a little bit of the missing link," Sergeant Kennard said.
There are also non-elected positions on the AADD council such as a stat keeper and First Term Airman Center briefer.
Fundraising and marketing opportunities are available as well. The next fundraising event is scheduled for Aug. 1, and along with the election of its new officers, the council has announced plans for a new AADD marketing campaign.
There are three marketing methods planned, which include eye-catching informational posters placed in high-traffic areas on the base, the distribution of 2,500 AADD key chains and the wearing of brightly colored AADD t-shirts by volunteer drivers.
Aside from squadron representatives, answers about the program are not far. Airmen interested in volunteering are highly encouraged to attend the monthly AADD meetings.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 24 at 10 a.m. in Building 246, near the base theater.
Before an Airman can participate in dispatching or driving, they must also register by completing the AADD computer-based training and sign a waiver, in the event of an accident.
To receive further information on the program, e-mail the AADD organizational inbox at aadd.charleston@charleston.af.mil.