Brittney Gilchrist, left, chief administrative officer for Lift Osan, and Beckie Javinar, chief charitable officer, sort donated items at Osan Thrift Shop, Osan Air Base, South Korea, April 14, 2026. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes)
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — The Osan Thrift Shop at this air base south of Seoul has revitalized its mission to provide community support and assistance for those who need it, according to leaders of the spouses’ organization that runs the shop.
The Team Osan Spouses’ Club was rebranded as Local Impact for Families and Team Osan, or LIFT Osan, to focus on providing community members with greater access to resources and programs across the installation, Sarah Masters, LIFT Osan’s chief outreach officer, said during an open house April 14 at the thrift shop.
The organization views the thrift shop as a hub for broader support, like emergency relief or assistance to military families, Masters said.
“Our goal is to take what the community gives and ensure it reaches as far as possible,” she said. “That means supporting families directly while also strengthening the organizations that serve them.”
The LIFT Osan thrift shop relies on donations that it sorts, sells and redistributes, including clothing, household goods, toys, uniforms and scholastic material to support grants, emergency assistance and community programs across Osan Air Base.
Revenue generated through thrift shop sales is being reinvested into the community through grants and scholarships, Beckie Javinar, LIFT Osan chief charitable officer, said by email on April 17.
Brittney Gilchrist, left, chief administrative officer for Lift Osan, and Beckie Javinar, chief charitable officer, sort donated items at Osan Thrift Shop, Osan Air Base, South Korea, April 14, 2026. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes)
Since Jan. 1, approximately $3,000 has been awarded in community grants, through an application process, supporting initiatives such as student programs, education and community events, with an additional $5,000 anticipated by May 31, she said.
The organization has also allocated roughly $8,000 toward scholarships and continuing education funding for service members and family members, according to Javinar.
“For kids growing up overseas, scholarships represent more than financial support,” she said. “They’re a reminder that their sacrifices and experiences matter.”
The rebranding followed months of community surveys and engagement with partners, volunteers and residents, which identified a need for more direct impact, improved access to resources and expanded service opportunities, according to Masters.
A newly developed Emergency Relief Program will provide essential household items and clothing to service members and families facing unexpected hardships, she said.
Unit leaders and base agencies, including chaplains and the Red Cross, will provide referrals to ensure assistance goes where it’s needed with minimal barriers, according to Masters.
LIFT Osan also expanded a community redistribution program, directing excess donations to organizations across the installation, including lending programs, educators and professional groups.
“Over the past few months alone, approximately $3,400 worth of items have been redistributed to support local organizations and families,” Javinar said.
Programs are being rolled out in phases and are already partially operational, with ongoing coordination to expand capacity and reach.
Masters said long-term success will depend on volunteers, steady donations and sustained partnerships across the air base community.
“Our focus is on continued growth and alignment with community needs,” she said. “As with any evolving program, we remain committed to adapting, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring we deliver meaningful, sustainable impact.”
