Group of volunteers under a balloon arch (Photo submittied by Ramstein Officer Spouses’ Club)
Volunteering can be such a fulfilling activity. This year we are highlighting organizations or events for those who are looking to learn more about the services and resources available to them as well as for those who are looking to give back to the community.
This month we are featuring Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club (ROSC). I spoke with Linda Skoglund, the Public Affairs and Publicity Chair as well as the Communications Director for the Bazaar, and Kari Jennings, President for the 2022-2023 year, and they shared their experiences working with the spouse club.
Linda has worked for the past two years to ensure that the local community knows who the spouse club is and what they do, as well as works internally with the volunteers and members to inform them about the events and opportunities available to them.
Neither Linda nor Kari had ever been in a spouses’ club before joining ROSC two years ago. Linda was looking for volunteer opportunities and a social network in her new community. She “hit Google” and found the spouse club. Kari was just looking to donate some leftover PCS items at the thrift store (run by the Ramstein Enlisted Spouses’ Association). She saw the flyer for the annual bazaar and knew she wanted to get involved.
ROSC’s most famous contribution to the community (in conjunction with 86 FSS) is the annual Ramstein Bazaar, the largest DoD bazaar in the world. Over 120 vendors from all over Europe come to Ramstein and sell everything from cheeses to furniture, antiques and wine. This year, the bazaar will be held from September 14-17. And you can do more than just shop; give back to your community by helping with set-up, day-of errands and clean-up. You do not have to be a member to volunteer, but membership allows you access to their community events and opportunities to serve on the board.
Kari stated the most fulfilling part of volunteering is “giving back to the community.” She continued with, “…any time there is a need, all we have to do is say ‘hey, earthquake in Turkey, the morale cart needs help, Fischer House had an influx of people’…[and] we can have an office full of donations in hours.”
Spouse club in traditional Bavarian clothing (Photo submitted by Ramstein Officer Spouses’ Club)
Each year, through Bazaar fundraising, ROSC has given over $250,000 in grants, scholarships and funding to the DoD community. 100% of net proceeds from the Ramstein Bazaar contribute to ROSC’s community grants. Kari talked about some of the organizations and groups who have benefitted such as Operation Warm Heart and sponsoring swim teams to go to competitions. She continued, “Seeing other people succeed because maybe we could help give them that little boost is very rewarding.” Linda shared a story about a military spouse who had received a scholarship from ROSC: “She kind-of lost her identity a little bit. The scholarship gave her a second chance at education…she felt like she was more than a mom. That really touched me.”
Kari and Linda noted how volunteering can give someone purpose, help them develop new skills, “pad” their resume and can get them connected with their new community. Kari stated, “Having a network of people to just be with and help other people, I think it is invaluable.” If you are interested in volunteering with and/or joining ROSC, go to a Welcome Coffee (usually once a quarter) or go to ramsteinosc.org/volunteer-1. To learn more about the Ramstein Bazaar which will be held this year September 14-17, visit http://ramsteinbazaar.org.
ROSC Bazaar Volunteer Information (Photo Submitted by Ramstein Officer Spouses’ Club)
