The Dyess We Care Team (WCT) is a volunteer organization made up of active duty Air Force, civilians, retired military members, and their families who express a sincere desire to help the disabled, elderly, and others in need of minor home repairs. In addition, the WCT assists other non-profit agencies such as Hope Haven, the Hendrick Home for Children, the Ben Richie Boy's Ranch, the Abilene State School, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and more. Referrals from non-profit community service organizations, website requests, and phone line requests are the primary sources of our home repair projects.

The WCT started with a phone call. A young Staff Sergeant assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing's Military Equal Opportunity Office, whose duties included assessing each squadron's human relations climate and educating all newly assigned personnel on human resources and diversity, began to notice a change in the Air Force. Doing "More with Less" was taking its toll on camaraderie, teamwork, and mentoring; everyone seemed so busy fixing and launching aircraft that they overlooked their most valuable resource – each other.

SSgt Gordon Storey pondered tirelessly for a solution and subsequently reflected on his own personal life for an answer. The times he felt proudest and most confident were the times he had to roll up sleeve, get dirty, and work side-by-side with other volunteers to assist someone in need. Drawing from these past experiences, SSgt Storey called the commander's Action Line and suggested Dyess use community service as a conduit to build base cohesion, teamwork, self-worth, confidence and leadership in their people. Little did he realize at the time, he just "volunteered" to become the founder of the WCT.

Their first project was a simple one, or so they thought; go to Ballenger Texas and refurbish an old, dilapidated school into the Vista/Hope project, a center for adult literacy and job placement. On July 28, 2000, SSgt Storey, with over 30 volunteers, drove to Ballenger, Texas and arrived to find four paintbrushes and four paint rollers waiting for them. Lucky for Vista/Hope, military members are used to working with less than what they need to get the job done! For that day, 8 people painted while the others made themselves busy hauling away debris, cleaning windows, stocking books, and sweeping floors. But, it was clear they would have to come back. That's when SSgt Storey learned how supportive and generous the Abilene community was. After just a couple of phone calls, the team returned the following weekend "armed-to-the-teeth" with all the paint supplies they needed! In true Air Force fashion, their mission was a success. Congressman Charles Stenholm conducted the Vista/Hope dedication ceremony and applauded the men and women of the WCT.

Barbara Reid, of the Abilene State School, read a small newspaper article about this exceptional group of volunteers and their efforts to help the people of Ballenger Texas. The Abilene State School was gearing up for their own monumental task, and Barbara knew she needed a team of energetic volunteers, if the vision was to be a reality. She contacted SSgt Storey. From December 2000 through December 2001, over 500 WCT volunteers put in nearly 6,000 hours in 14 weekends to create the ONLY 100% wheelchair accessible playground in a 250-mile radius – the Centennial Park Playground. Naturally, a structure of this importance received an abundance of local publicity. Hence, the word was out – The Dyess We Care Team: Defending Our Country; Serving Our Community.

Since inception in July 2000, the WCT volunteers have been busy in their off-duty time. On average, the WCT organizes over 500 volunteers who contribute nearly 6,000 hours on some 70 community service projects annually. These projects have included: painting houses, replacing dry rotted boards, building wheelchair ramps, cutting down trees, installing cabinetry and plumbing fixtures, and serving spaghetti and baked beans (assisting the Lion Clubs of Abilene) – just to name a few!

The Team Leader program is the backbone of the WCT, which is used to develop Airmen into responsible leaders. By empowering even the lowest of ranks, the WCT and the Team Leader program allows all motivated Airmen to take hold of designated service projects form start to finish. These Airmen will lead teams often consisting of higher ranking officers and senior enlisted members through all stages of the project until completion. The Team Leader program is a perfect example of how the WCT marries the Air Force mission and community involvement to build strong, effective, military leaders.

Although the Airmen are the backbone of the program, much of the success is attributed to the outstanding support of the city of Abilene, its residents, and countless sponsors. Sponsors such as Classic Fare Catering, Texas Road House, Star Dodge-Hyundai, United Supermarket, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, and the Communities of Abilene Federal Credit Union (just to name a few) have been force-multipliers through their generous contributions and dedication to the WCT mission. This powerful combination of a hospitable community and a willing service group is what has made Abilene such a perfect place to initiate a volunteer program through Dyess AFB. It truly is a symbolic relationship in which the community, merchants and volunteers all benefit.

The WCT proudly became an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in March 2006. WCT leadership is made up of various committee chairs who have assigned duties outlined in the by-laws and who conduct a monthly meeting to direct community service action. The entire organization is completely based on volunteers and most have separate full-time jobs within the United States Air Force.

Although the WCT has no affiliation with the Department of Defense or the Air Force, they have overwhelming support from Dyess' senior leadership all the way up to Headquarters, USAF. "It's the best program I've ever seen!," exclaimed Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald Murray, during his 2005 visit to Dyess Air Force Base. With growing enthusiasm on base, the generosity of the local community and the unyielding support of their leadership, the WCT has far exceeded their initial goal of "painting one house a month!" When one considers the fact that the WCT's accomplishments are all achieved during their off-duty hours, their motto is a modest understatement! "The Dyess We Care Team: Defending Our Country; Serving Our Community"