TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Someone once said there is a hero in all of us. This is especially true for Donald Roth, who works as a receiving clerk at the Tyndall AFB Base Supply Center.
But this isn’t about his job at the supply center, but instead why he volunteered over 500 hours at the base thrift shop.
Known to many as the “Energizer Bunny” due to his constant willingness to work and stay on the go, Roth has dedicated 45 years to the Air Force, working as a civilian employee, contractor and Air Force veteran.
Originally enlisting into the Air Force in December 1962, he served his military career at Hurlburt Field as an inventory management specialist. His experience from active duty has helped him through several jobs.
“Having Don on the volunteer staff at the thrift shop has been such a blessing,” said Keyna Carson, Tyndall AFB thrift shop manager. “With over 500 hours in volunteer services donated in this past year, his service has made an impact on our business and the amount of money we are able to give back to the community.”
Roth was unemployed for 18 months before he began volunteering at the base thrift shop. He used this hiatus to volunteer at a local church, and eventually began to volunteer at the thrift shop on base as well.
“I started off as a familiar face and shopper at the store by getting to know the staff, who were more than polite,” Roth said. “They encouraged me to volunteer with them once I was done with a previous job I held. As fate would have it, I began offering my time there as though I were being paid, which I would call God’s eternal reward.”
After volunteering over 500 hours at the thrift shop, Roth found employment at the base supply center. He now works alongside Airmen in the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron, where they inspect equipment and material shipments.
“Even though I may not be able to volunteer with the thrift shop as much as I used to, I’d really like to see more volunteers who have a willingness to do so. I am sure they will be repaid eternally somewhere along the way, just as I have,” Roth said.
Roth owes his inspiration to working with people he has met in his life who exude the same enthusiasm for working as him.
“When people first meet me, they wouldn’t readily realize how strong my faith is in the Lord,” Roth said. “I feel really blessed where I am in life right now and I owe it all to God. I never resented volunteering all those hours because I knew in the end God would bless me, open the door for me and reward me with an actual paying job.”
Roth is also an avid employee who takes pride in what he does.
“I don’t ever get tired so I decide to just keep going,” Roth said. “As long as you keep going you will always get the best out of every day you can.”