Content

• Refer-A-Friend Program launches
• If you don’t want to miss a thing…update!
• Labor Day lawn care schedule
• Green corner
• Corvias Foundation awards 2014 educational grants to military spouses
• Deployed servicemen take part in Boston’s Run to Home Base through Corvias Shadow Run
• What to expect for your next work order
• Yard of the Month Winner
• Suicide prevention: Recognize the signs and know the resources
• Preventative maintenance visits
• Friendly reminders
• Tell us how we are doing
• Community happenings are on our website’s calendar
• Upcoming events and important dates

Dear Seymour Johnson AFB resident,

As you know, our Movie Night was unfortunately rained out on August 1. We have rescheduled the event to its rain date of Friday, September 26.

We are so excited to announce that we will be screening the movie “Despicable Me”! Come to the field next to the Corvias Community Office (268 Squier Avenue) at 7 p.m., and we will have popcorn and drinks.

We sincerely hope that Mother Nature cooperates with us on this day, and that we see you at this fantastic family-friendly event.

Sincerely,

Sharon Shores
Program Manager
Corvias Military Living

Refer-A-Friend Program launches

Have you ever wished you could be rewarded for telling your friends about the benefits of living on base?  Now you can!

If you refer a friend who meets base residency requirements, signs a 12-month lease, and moves onto Seymour Johnson AFB by September 30, 2014, a $150 gift card will be provided to you as a referral reward.

New applicants must list the referral source’s name and phone number at the time of application, or during the first visit/call to the Corvias Community Office. Additional restrictions may apply to this program.

For more information about the Refer-A-Friend Program, please contact the Corvias Community Office.

If you don’t want to miss a thing…update!

Stay up-to-date on resident events, community information and emergency notifications. Please take a moment to update your contact information here, because we don’t want you to miss a thing that is going on in your community! By providing us with a working phone number and two current e-mail addresses, we will be able to contact you in a timely fashion for maintenance requests, event information, and more.

Labor Day lawn care schedule

If your lawn is typically mowed on Mondays, please be aware that your lawn will not be mowed on Monday, September 1 (Labor Day). Instead, you will receive lawn care on Friday, September 5. As a reminder, lawn care information, including how to prepare your home for mowing, can be found on our website.

Green corner

How can you save energy and keep your clothes wrinkle-free? Iron fabrics that require a cooler iron first, then iron your clothes that require a hotter iron.

Corvias Foundation awards 2014 educational grants to military spouses

Since 2006, John G. Picerne’s foundation, Corvias Foundation, has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships and educational grants to children and spouses of active-duty service members. This year, the Foundation awarded $100,000 in educational grants to spouses of active-duty service members, including the following:

Edwards Air Force Base, CA

Jannette Martinez is a freshman pursuing a Certificate in Medical Billing from the U.S. Career Institute. Mrs. Martinez enjoys the medical field and looks forward to pursuing a career in medical billing. Her husband is Staff Sgt. Marcos Martinez.

Eielson Air Force Base, AK

Latisha Davis is a sophomore pursuing an Associate’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Mrs. Davis has worked in healthcare for 20 years, and looks forward to continuing her education to eventually become a Registered Nurse. Her husband is Tech. Sgt. Charles Clinton Davis.

Fort Bragg, NC

Amanda Bechtel is a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. Mrs. Bechtel would eventually like to work with Soldiers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her husband is Spc. Benjamin W. Bechtel.

Cindy Himmelhaver is a sophomore pursuing an Associate’s degree in Biology from Fayetteville Technical Community College. Mrs. Himmelhaver currently has a 4.0 GPA and ultimately wants to work for the VA as a Physician’s Assistant. Her husband is Spc. Noah Himmelhaver.

Tiffani James is pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. James recently completed a victim-advocate internship and has volunteered many hours at the schools in her community. Her husband is Sgt. 1^st Class Dustin S. James.

Tiffany Streeter is pursuing an Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene at Central Carolina Community College. Mrs. Streeter currently has a 4.0 GPA and is an active volunteer in her community. Her husband is Staff Sgt. David T. Streeter.

Fort Polk, LA

Fabersha Flynt is pursuing a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University. Her husband was stationed out of Fort Polk when he was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2006. Mrs. Flynt’s goal is to educate minority males in higher education. Her husband was Staff Sgt. Bryan Anthony Lewis.

Kathrine Garcia is a junior pursing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Upper Iowa University. The first in her family to attend college, Mrs. Garcia has an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, and eventually wants to attend law school. Her husband is Spc. Richmond Rieza.

Amanda Harrison is pursuing a Certificate in Legal Assisting from Auburn University, on her path towards a Master’s in Addiction Therapy. Mrs. Harrison is passionate about her studies and has volunteered many hours in her community. Her husband is Sgt. Jeffery A. Harrison.

Fort Riley, KS

Sara Devine is pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education with a certification in Secondary Education at Kansas State University. Mrs. Devine currently works as a para-educator in a middle school special education classroom and looks forward to eventually having her own classroom. Her husband is Sgt. John Devine.

Jenna Osterman is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washburn University. Mrs. Osterman is dedicated to helping others and wants to be a family advocate for the Army. She currently works at a non-profit homeless shelter. Her husband is 2 Lt. William Jordan.

Wendy Therkelsen is a sophomore pursuing an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology at Brown Mackie College-Salina. Mrs. Osterman has worked in a veterinary office for the past 9 years and looks forward to expanding her career. Her husband is Master Sgt. Jason Therkelsen.

Leslie Valencia is a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Wichita State University. Mrs. Valencia will be the first in her family to graduate from college and she looks forward to starting her nursing career. Her husband is Spc. Edgar E. Valencia Jr.

Fort Rucker, AL

Anne Combs is pursuing a Master’s degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Combs has volunteered many hours in her community and aspires to work in adult education, inspiring others as a teacher. Her husband is Sgt. Derek S. Combs.

Fort Sill, OK

Amber Abernathy is a junior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science from Everest College-Phoenix. Mrs. Abernathy has volunteered many hours in her community and wants to work for the Department of Defense Criminal Investigation Division. Her husband is Staff Sgt. Adam Abernathy.

Amber McGuire is a freshman pursuing an Associate’s degree in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix. Mrs. McGuire currently works as a job coach for individuals with special needs and wants to also help others as an addictions counselor. Her husband is Pfc. Daniel McGuire.

Hurlburt Field, FL

Aimee Burnett is pursuing an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Northwest Florida State College. Mrs. Burnett currently has a 4.0 GPA and is studying to become a certified nurse midwife. Her husband is Capt. James Talon Burnett.

McConnell Air Force Base, KS

Sarah Bondarev is a junior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wichita State University. Mrs. Bondarev enjoys accounting and wants to be a Certified Public Accountant. Her husband is Airman 1^st Class Pavel Bondarev.

Ashley LaMothe is pursuing a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Mrs. LaMothe wants to work in a medical examiner’s or coroner’s office as a death investigator. Her husband is Senior Airman Stephan LaMothe.

Alexandra Thomas is pursuing a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Wichita State University. Mrs. Thomas is passionate about healthcare and has volunteered many hours at her local hospital. She also volunteers many hours with the Key Spouse Program. Her husband is Senior Airman Joshua Thomas.

Deployed servicemen take part in Boston’s Run to Home Base through Corvias Shadow Run

Corvias Foundation sponsored the 5th Annual Shadow Run To Home Base on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Afghanistan in support of Saturday's Run to Home Base event in Boston. Approximately 2,000 runners participated in Boston, and the service members in Afghanistan numbered above 1,100. Soldiers and civilians at the base trekked back and forth on a road that stretched a mile and a half inside Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan.

The Corvias family made a great showing in the race. New Corvias Foundation scholarship recipients, Zia Matti and Megan Conroy, participated in the Boston Run to Home Base, along with a number of Corvias Group employees and other Foundation scholarship alumni. Zia and Megan finished first and second in the Women Under 19 group. In Afghanistan, runners from Fort Bragg, N.C.; Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., and Fort Drum, N.Y. finished in the top 3 among deployed runners.

As part of the Run to Home Base, Corvias Foundation helped to put together care packages with toiletries, baseball hats, magazines, and additional supplies that will eventually make their way to troops in Afghanistan, including nearly 100 service members recommended by Corvias Group employees.

What to expect for your next work order

You may submit maintenance work orders any time by calling our service request line at (919) 988-6951.

If your work order is an emergency, please call the service request line immediately.

As a reminder, each work order is classified according to its urgency:

• Emergency – Response time in one hour or less; completion time in 24 hours or less. The response time for each work order emergency may differ depending on the type of emergency. Some examples of maintenance emergencies include burst or frozen pipes, sewer back-up, electrical short or fire.
• Urgent – Response time in 24 hours or less; completion time in five days or less. Urgent work is required to correct a condition that could become an emergency. Some examples include a broken garage door or a broken garbage disposal.
• Routine – Response time in five days or less; completion time in 15 days or less. Routine work is needed for an inconvenience that does not pose a hazard or a potential hazard. This may include a broken drawer or loose towel bar.

Yard of the Month Winner

Congratulations to TSgt Eric and Amanda Pancia of 149 Westover Road for being named the Seymour Johnson AFB Yard of the Month winner in August.

The program is designed to recognize residents who make a special effort to improve their home’s landscaping. Judging for September’s Yard of the Month will take on Friday, September 19. Judges will select one home as the winner. On that day, judges will ride through the community and select the home that best meets the following criteria:

• Overall appearance (landscaping, lawn ornaments, etc.)
• Flowerbeds free of weeds and grass
• Driveway free of grease and oil
• Free of trash , debris and pet waste

The winner will have the have the Yard of the Month sign displayed in front of their home, their picture in Corvias Community News, and will also receive a $50 gift card.

Suicide prevention: Recognize the signs and know the resources

“When we're connected to others, we become better people.”
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

A sense of community is one of the most important factors in building ready and resilient service members and families. In the military community, support from others is the best resource in helping to face daily stressors, including feelings of isolation caused by being away from friends and family, long duty hours, financial stress, and other challenges.

It is important for members of the military community to recognize when someone they care for is distancing themselves from their community, their loved ones, their unit, or when their behavior is a source of concern. A sense of isolation can decrease one’s resiliency and increase their risk for suicide.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, there are several resources to assist. The Military Crisis Line (800-273-8255, and then press 1), also called MCL or the Veterans Crisis Line, is a joint Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative. The MCL is staffed with caring, qualified VA responders who understand the challenges of military life. The MCL is a free, confidential service available 24/7 to all active duty, National Guard, and reserve service members, their families, and their friends. Those in crisis can also text (838255) or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net with a crisis line responder. People can also reach out to their local Chaplain’s office or Social Work Services via Seymour Johnson AFB’s medical clinics. 

Preventative maintenance visits

We are continuing to complete our annual preventative home maintenance visits on each of the Seymour Johnson AFB homes. We will ensure that your fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, mechanical system and applications, etc. are in tip-top shape.

This work does require entry into your home, so we will be sure to inform you of your preventative maintenance visit in advance. The next group of homes to be visited will be 601-635 Maxwell Street and 200-227 Nellis Drive during the week of September 15. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Community Office should you have any questions or concerns.

Friendly reminders

• If your family has recently grown, congratulations! Please remember to submit your updated DD1172 form to the Community Office.
• Don’t forget to clean up after your pet. Not only do we appreciate it, but so does the rest of the community!

Tell us how we are doing!

The Corvias Military Living annual resident satisfaction survey will begin in October and will continue into November. Surveys are conducted by SatisFacts, an independent property management research firm.

SatisFacts will contact residents by e-mail to complete a brief online survey. While participation is voluntary, your feedback is appreciated so we can work to improve your experience. Please contact the Community Office for more information.

Community happenings are on our website’s calendar

Want to know what is happening in your community? Your community calendar can help you stay up-to-date on trash, recycling, lawn care, resident events and community activities. You can even sync your community calendar with a personal Google calendar by clicking on the +Google button on the bottom right-hand corner of the calendar.   

Upcoming events and important dates

• September 1 (Labor Day): Corvias Community Office open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• September 5: Corvias Community Office to close at 1:30 p.m.
• September 15-19: Preventative maintenance visits
• September 19: Yard of the Month judging
• September 26: Movie Night
• September 30: Refer-a-Friend Program deadline