ACSC spouses truck diapers to governor’s mansion

Alabama’s First Lady Patsy Riley receives an Air Command and Staff College cookbook and coin from Annette Roberts, representing ACSC spouses. Several of ACSC spouses were at the Governor’s Mansion Feb. 12 to present the results of the school’s “Diaper Drive” for the Montgomery Family Sunshine Center, one of Mrs. Riley’s charitable interests which supports victims of domestic violence in the Montgomery area. (Air Force photo by Jamie Pitcher)

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ACSC spouses truck diapers to governor’s mansion

Published Feb. 19, 2009
By Joy Ovington
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Spouses from Air Command and Staff College delivered a truckload of donated baby diapers to the Alabama governor's mansion Feb. 12.

The diaper donation drive benefits the Montgomery Family Sunshine Center.

"ACSC does this annual diaper drive with Alabama's First Lady, Mrs. Patsy Riley, at the governor's mansion," said Annette Roberts, chairperson of the ACSC Spouse's Club. "A lot of our members and their spouses have all donated these diapers for this worthy cause."

She said their 5th Annual Governor's Mansion Tour and Diaper Drive helps families served by the Family Sunshine Center, which exists to end family violence and foster hope and healing in seven Alabama counties: Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery.

"Mrs. Riley has opened up her house so graciously to us, and so we're here enjoying the morning with her and donating the diapers," Mrs. Roberts said.

Mrs. Riley took a moment to highlight the event's importance.

"I enjoy it so much because, first of all, I get to truly welcome the wonderful spouses to our great state," she said. "And I think the second thing that I enjoy probably even more than that is the fact that they get involved in the community. I think that is so very important. It gives them kind of 'roots.'"

Mrs. Riley said that once people get involved in the community, they really feel like they are home and a part of that community, and I think that's just a wonderful service."
"This year of course, with the economy going through the stress that it's going through, there will be more babies and mothers seeking shelter," she said. "Stress levels are very high right now and marriages will have to go through an awful lot."

Mrs. Riley elaborated on the challenges the Family Sunshine Center faces.

"It's very important that the babies have baby food, that they have diapers, that they have formula, that they have all the things they need because their numbers are going to rise," she said.

"For the wonderful spouses at the air college to come and do this, it's quite a service to our community," Mrs. Riley said.

The next social event for the ACSC spouses' group will be Tuesday at Artistic Expressions in Prattville. There is also an 80s-style prom at the Officer's Club scheduled for March 19.