Ramstein Bazaar Gives Back
We understand that dollar amounts don’t truly explain the impact that the Bazaar funds have on our military community. So every year we like to highlight a few beneficiaries and their stories. If you or your organization have received funds from the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club and would like to share your own story with us, please contact our Communications Director at communications@ramsteinbazaar.org.
In 2022, the Bazaar raised more than $232,000 for the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
Scholarships
Scholarships Awarded in 2023
Along with the Kaiserslautern Landstuhl Spouses’ Association (KSLA) and the Ramstein Enlisted Spouses’ Association (RESA), ROSC was able to fund 93 merit-based scholarships to high school seniors, current university students, and military spouses from the Kaiserslautern Military Community! Scholarships ranged from $500 to $5,000, and a total of $125,000 was awarded. Scholarship applicants were selected based on their grades, activities, community service, awards and honors, employment, and a written essay. These scholarships would not have been possible without the support of the community. Congratulations to all recipients!
The Den
The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club (ROSC) was proud to be able to help fund The Den, a community and entertainment space for enlisted military service members. It includes a lounge, an arcade/video gaming room, a music studio, an art space, a podcast room, a kitchen, a stage, and more! Airmen came up with the idea during the pandemic as a way to have a creative outlet on base that’s central to the dorms.
“It all started with this idea during COVID, because some of the airmen living in the dorms felt very isolated,” said SSgt Nehemiah Joslin, NCOIC of The Den. “We wanted to do this so everyone could come together. I think it’s very important for airmen to have a safe space to relax and unwind away from the dorms.”
The Den has been in the works for more than a year and involved hundreds of airmen volunteer hours from the electrical work, to painting, hanging structures, building furniture, and requesting funds for entertainment and equipment.
“This has been a long journey, and we really thank ROSC for doing all that you do and for these funds,” said SSgt Joslin.
Kaiserslautern Historic Trail
In 2022, ROSC gave $400 to Bryson Weir for his Eagle Scout Service Project to create an Historic Trail in Kaiserslautern. The Kaiserslautern Historic Trail is a walking tour that connects historic sites across the city. Bryson helped create a downloadable pamphlet that you can find online containing a map, photos, and descriptions of each site regarding historical significance, architecture, or other notable features. The funds were used to purchase 200 custom-made patches for those who complete the hike.
“I appreciate ROSC contributing to my Eagle Scout project in which I created a Historical Trail for the city of Kaiserslautern. Fundraising is difficult overseas, but ROSC was generous enough to help me reach my goals.” said Bryson Weir.
Landstuhl Fisher House
In November of 2022, the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club not only donated an SUV full of food and hygiene items, but they also donated a check for $15,000 to the Landstuhl Fisher House to support their ongoing efforts to help our military community in the KMC.
Landstuhl Fisher Houses provide a comfortable and supportive environment for families of wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans, allowing them to stay close to their loved ones during their medical treatment at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, at no cost.
The homes are located just minutes away from the medical center, and offer spacious suites, fully equipped kitchens, and communal living areas where families can connect and support each other during their stay. They provide a range of services, including assistance with meal planning and preparation, access to recreational activities and resources to support emotional well-being. The Fisher House is a "home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care. The Landstuhl Fisher Houses heavily rely on donor support.
“Such contributions allow them to cover basic maintenance costs, utilities, furnishings and projects to continue to provide the level of comfort and care that our service members and their families rightfully deserve,” said Sarafina Buchanan, Landstuhl Fisher House Manager.
Deployment Transition Center
In 2022, ROSC donated $5,000, and nearly 3,000 freshly baked cookies to the AF Deployment Transition Center located on Ramstein Air Base, a continuing world-class organization, en route to redeployers' home station.
The DTS program provides critical reintegration skills and decompression opportunities for redeployers, and its vision is to be the DoD’s Center of Excellence for returning Warfighters by bridging positive combat and homefront skill sets. Their services are open to all deployed airmen and all other branches of service as space allows. Upon arrival, airmen spend 72 hours in Germany being welcomed back, going on hikes, completing combat bridge skills to help deal with life challenges for when they return home and then depart Frankfurt to be reunited with their loved ones.
"The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club is our greatest contributor. With those funds, we are able to buy snacks so redeployers don't go to bed hungry. That money also helps fund our lending closet. We could not accomplish half of what we do without ROSC's donation, so thank you so much!" - TSgt Jasmine Tanner, DTC MSM
Model United Nations
The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club (ROSC) has consistently been proud supporters of our area high schools. Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations, where students from around the world debate and discuss challenges that the world faces today. Participation improves students' public speaking skills, social confidence, college admissions and success chances, and career readiness. In 2022, ROSC was able to give funds to both teams from Kaiserslautern High School and Ramstein High School to attend their conference in The Hague.
“Model UN was really fun and an eye-opening experience to see so many people from different countries that you can interact with and learn about,” said Kaiserslautern High School student Sarah Thompson. “I learned so much about my committees' topics that changed my view of lots of real and relevant events today, but I also learned a lot about public speaking and being confident.”
Cub Scout 69 Trip to Normandy
In April 2022, thanks to proceeds from the Ramstein Bazaar, ROSC gave $1,000 to transport 10-12 families to Normandy by bus. The 2022 Normandy Camporee included traveling 1,500 kilometers (928 miles), stops at four museums, and visiting Omaha and Utah beaches. Scouts from all around Europe and the the United States came together to learn about what happened on D-Day and throughout WWll.
On the final day, the scouts attended the closing ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery and Museum. There, tulips were placed, prayers were said, and families paid respect for those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This was very impactful for the scouts and their families. The scouts were not only able to learn about the sacrifices made in WWll, but they also built friendships and bonds with fellow scouts from around the world.