CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Spring is a time when the last leaves of winter have fallen, the first grass starts to grow, some people think about spring cleaning and many folks start thinking about planting a garden.
All of these items are topics for Charleston AFB housing. The last leaves of winter need to be raked and bagged. The first grass or weeds need to be cut. Boxes left over from Christmas and the clutter in the carport need to be cleaned up. And many people will start planting gardens.
"The housing office is not just here to make sure people accomplish the clean up, they are also here to help members beautify their yards," said Steve Campbell, Charleston AFB Housing Flight chief.
Many people are unaware the self-help store has fire ant insecticide to kill off those ant mounds. They also have grass seed to help Airmen jumpstart their lawns.
"Spring is a good time to lay down new roach bait stations ahead of the warmth of spring and summer," said Mr. Campbell.
The housing office will also fund a spring plant giveaway again this year. There will be a variety of plants, grass seed and pine straw available. They will make an announcement in the Airlift Dispatch and on the marquee when the plants arrive and when they will be distributed.
The Yard of the Week award will start a month earlier this year, in April, and run every week through the end of August. Yard of the Week winners will receive insulated drink cups, a certificate recognizing them as the Yard of the Week winner, a sign in their lawn for the week and be eligible for Yard of the Month.
Yard of the Month winners will receive $25-worth of Services bucks, a $50 savings bond provided by Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union, a clock inscribed with their name and the month they won Yard of the Month, a certificate signed by the 437th Mission Support Group commander and a "Home of the Month" sign in their lawn of the month.
Finally, as a reminder, the Charleston AFB Housing Flight only allows for two pets, and owners must clean up after them. Also, dogs are not allowed to roam or be off leashes when not behind a fence. The Housing Flight asks owners to take extra precaution with large dogs around the "Tot Lots" and small children.
"We hope everyone will help us in making Charleston AFB a wonderful housing environment," said Mr. Campbell.