Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Cannon Connections photo: Liliana Castillo Marjorie Watkins, membership services coordinator for the Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce, gathers items from the chamber's membership Tuesday to place in a Right Start bag for airmen.
Cannon Air Force Base’s Right Start program gives airmen just that; a right start.
The program, which is usually held once a month based on need, provides airmen who are incoming to the base information about the wing mission and the surrounding communities.
Airmen hear a briefing from the wing commander, Cannon Force Support Squadron, public affairs, Airmen and Family Readiness Center and local organizations such as the hospital.
Ray Spain, Cannon Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, is in charge of the program heading into its 15th year.
“We receive very positive feedback,” Spain said. “The airmen like both the commander briefing and the information fair.”
The information fair follows the set of briefings. Community, non-profit and service organizations bring information for the airmen about what the areas have to offer.
“It works well because it gives them an introduction to the base and local area from people who have been here for awhile. It’s a place to start and a right start,” Spain said.
Spain said most bases have a program similar to Right Start to give airmen a jumping off point when they come to a new base.
Marjorie Watkins, membership services coordinator for the Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce, has missed few of the Right Start programs in the last 12 years.
Watkins brings bags for the airmen with things donated from the chamber’s members. The items can range from a business card to a pen bearing a business’ name to a water bottle.
“The bags are always overflowing,” Watkins of Farwell said.
Watkins said airmen are pleased with the turn out and information they receive at Right Start.
“I think it’s working great,” she said.
Watkins said she used to be able to pack the bags and information into her SUV but now is looking at using a moving truck to get everything to the base. At one time, she and the volunteer Chamber Ambassadors had to stuff 40-50 bags but now stuff between 70-110 for the event.
“We also have more members who want to have things in the bag,” Watkins said.
She said about 60 members brin