Sixteen hardworking Air Force spouses and dependents were awarded scholarships by the McChord Spouses' Club on Sunday, April 23. The program began in 2013, when the longstanding Enlisted and Officer Spouses' Clubs combined at Joint-Base Lewis-McChord.

The $50,000 in scholarships was raised by the volunteer-run McChord Thrift Shop, a nonprofit that resells donated and consignment goods. "This would not have been possible if it had not been for our fantastic and faithful volunteers," explained Tracy Fanning, co-chair for the MSC Scholarship Program.

The program currently offers two Air Force spouse scholarships for continuing education and two dependent scholarships for high school seniors. Four of each were awarded this year, with scholarships ranging from $750 to $8,000 in value.

Fanning explains that volunteer work is most often the factor that sets beneficiaries apart from the many worthy applications that the club receives each year.  A written essay, grades and reference letters are considered by three independent judges before recipients are chosen.

The 2017 McChord Spouses' Club Scholarship recipients are Danielle Bradley, Rosalia Watson, Micheele Heredia, Jill Lindberg, Sabina Cunningham, Christina Nalsen, Rebecca Morain, Jackob Hollinger, Madison Neubert, Payton Skogivnd, Kortney Hollinger, Mohagani Townsend, Lauren Castillo, Laura Martinez, Rachel Pierson, and Kayla Martin.

In addition to assisting Air Force families towards their educational goals, the McChord Spouses' Club welcomes newcomers to the JBLM community and works with local charities and organizations through its welfare fund. Open to all Air Force spouses at JBLM, MSC is actively seeking new members and board members. For more information, visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/mcchord.spousesclub or mcchordspousesclub.com.

The McChord Thrift Shop, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m., Tuesday; Building 717 on 4th and Battery Street