Ramstein Bazaar Gives Back

We understand that dollar amounts don’t truly explain the impact that the Bazaar funds have on our military community. So every year we like to highlight a few beneficiaries and their stories. If you or your organization have received funds from the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club and would like to share your own story with us, please contact our Communications Director at communications@ramsteinbazaar.org.

In 2023, the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club distributed $316,691 to the Kaiserslautern Military Community and beyond.

Scholarships

Scholarships Awarded in 2024

In 2024, ROSC was able to fund 52 merit-based scholarships to high school seniors, current university students, and military spouses from the Kaiserslautern Military Community! Scholarships ranged from $500 to $3,000 totaling $75,000. Scholarship applicants were selected based on their grades, activities, community service, awards and honors, employment, and a written essay. These scholarships would not have been possible without the support of the community. Congratulations to all recipients!

K9s for Veterans Abroad

In 2018, Richard Rice had a mission to help other veterans like himself who suffered from PTSD. With the help of his wife, he launched K9s for Veterans Abroad offering dog training and support to service members.

“What I came to find out, it wasn't just 1 or 2 veterans like myself that were struggling,” said Rice. “There are hundreds of veterans who are struggling with PTSD that either retired in Europe or are in Europe for various reasons. We’re here to fulfill that need.”

Thanks to ROSC grants, several service dogs have been brought over from Florida and England and have been successfully matched with veterans living in Kaiserslautern Military Community. These funds not only go toward flights, but also toward dog food, medical care, and vaccinations. In 2024, the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club was honored and helped name two of those service dogs now called “Rosie” and “Roxie.”

Teams formed from K9s for Veterans Abroad also give back to the community with hospital visits at LRMC, trips to the USO Warrior Center on Landstuhl, visits to the Ramstein USO Pax Terminal, and more. In 2024, they also partnered with the Vogelweh Library to offer a story time so children can read to the service dogs.

“I just want to thank the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club.” said Rice. “We wouldn’t have been able to live six years, let alone try to do six more and help these veterans in need without your help. There have been times where we’re almost in the negative. We need the spade them, and we need to get them vaccines. I’m not sure how I’m going to feed them unless I pay out of pocket. You guys have really come through for us multiple times. It relieves so much stress, and it brings so much joy to the community. We’re just really grateful for ROSC.”

Scouts Summer Camp in Croatia

In 2024, scouts from BSA Troop 12 attended a summer camp in Croatia. It gave the scouts an opportunity to earn merit badges and learn new skills by the Adriatic Sea. A ROSC grant helped lower the cost of bus transportation.

“Without these funds, it would be very difficult for our Scouts to pay for summer camp,” said Paul Skinner, Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 12. “Unlike in the states, we don't have the same opportunities to fundraise like those stateside Scouts. Here in Germany, we are not allowed to sell popcorn, chocolates, or other food goods because of the laws and regulations that govern US Forces overseas. Also due to the ages of some of the Scouts, we are limited to the opportunities they have to earn money for different Scouting events. This puts the burden of paying for each Scouting event on families that might not have the funds otherwise. So these funds help out greatly to all Scouts alike.”

Troop 12 is comprised of active-duty youth dependents from the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

Kaiserslautern Kingfish Swim Team

The Kaiserslautern Kingfish Swim Team includes about 120 children and teens and offers a safe space for all levels of swimming. In 2024, 40 swimmers qualify for the European Forces Swim League (EFSL) Long-Distance Championships in Bruges, and roughly 65-70 swimmers qualify for the Short-Distance Swim Championships in London. A ROSC grant helps offset the cost of sending swimmers to these competitions.

“The grant allows us to not rely too heavily on swim parents,” said Tina Tarpen, Kaiserslautern Kingfish Swim Team President. “This grant helps us lessen the blow on their pockets. We really appreciate everything that the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club has done for us.”

Landstuhl Fisher House

Landstuhl Fisher Houses provide a comfortable and supportive environment for families of wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans, allowing them to stay close to their loved ones during their medical treatment at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, at no cost.

The homes are located just minutes away from the medical center, and offer spacious suites, fully equipped kitchens, and communal living areas where families can connect and support each other during their stay. They provide a range of services, including assistance with meal planning and preparation, access to recreational activities and resources to support emotional well-being. The Fisher House is a "home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care. The Landstuhl Fisher Houses heavily rely on donor support.

“ROSC has been one of our top donor support organizations for years,” said Sarafina Buchanan, Landstuhl Army Fisher House Manager. “These funds are used for pantry items, utilities, and more. Any money that has been provided to us, whether through grants from ROSC or donor dollars, is used for the upkeep for our Fisher Houses and to keep up the standard that our service members deserve. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ for the continuous support of our mission!”

Eagle Scout Project

“For the longest time, becoming an Eagle Scout has been a big goal of mine, and without ROSC, I don’t think that would have been possible,” said Allison McKenzie of BSA Troop 1920.

Thanks to a grant from ROSC in 2023, McKenzie was able to renovate the clothing room of the KLSA Thrift Shop on Landstuhl by putting in new shelving and reorganizing the racks. “We made the shopping experience better, not only for the community but also for the people who really need to use the Thrift Shop,” said McKenzie. “The grant that ROSC gave me really helped up to afford the shelving, all the materials that we needed to complete the project overall. Without the grant, it’s unlikely that my project would have been completely as swiftly and as high quality as it was.”

The Den

The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club (ROSC) was proud to be able to help fund The Den, a community and entertainment space for enlisted military service members. It includes a lounge, an arcade/video gaming room, a music studio, an art space, a podcast room, a kitchen, a stage, and more! Airmen came up with the idea during the pandemic as a way to have a creative outlet on base that’s central to the dorms.

“It all started with this idea during COVID, because some of the airmen living in the dorms felt very isolated,” said SSgt Nehemiah Joslin, NCOIC of The Den. “We wanted to do this so everyone could come together. I think it’s very important for airmen to have a safe space to relax and unwind away from the dorms.” 

The Den has been in the works for more than a year and involved hundreds of airmen volunteer hours from the electrical work, to painting, hanging structures, building furniture, and requesting funds for entertainment and equipment. 

“This has been a long journey, and we really thank ROSC for doing all that you do and for these funds,” said SSgt Joslin.

Kaiserslautern Historic Trail

In 2022, ROSC gave $400 to Bryson Weir for his Eagle Scout Service Project to create an Historic Trail in Kaiserslautern. The Kaiserslautern Historic Trail is a walking tour that connects historic sites across the city. Bryson helped create a downloadable pamphlet that you can find online containing a map, photos, and descriptions of each site regarding historical significance, architecture, or other notable features. The funds were used to purchase 200 custom-made patches for those who complete the hike.

“I appreciate ROSC contributing to my Eagle Scout project in which I created a Historical Trail for the city of Kaiserslautern. Fundraising is difficult overseas, but ROSC was generous enough to help me reach my goals.” said Bryson Weir.

Deployment Transition Center

In 2022, ROSC donated $5,000, and nearly 3,000 freshly baked cookies to the AF Deployment Transition Center located on Ramstein Air Base, a continuing world-class organization, en route to redeployers' home station. 

The DTS program provides critical reintegration skills and decompression opportunities for redeployers, and its vision is to be the DoD’s Center of Excellence for returning Warfighters by bridging positive combat and homefront skill sets. Their services are open to all deployed airmen and all other branches of service as space allows. Upon arrival, airmen spend 72 hours in Germany being welcomed back, going on hikes, completing combat bridge skills to help deal with life challenges for when they return home and then depart Frankfurt to be reunited with their loved ones.

"The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club is our greatest contributor. With those funds, we are able to buy snacks so redeployers don't go to bed hungry. That money also helps fund our lending closet. We could not accomplish half of what we do without ROSC's donation, so thank you so much!" - TSgt Jasmine Tanner, DTC MSM

Model United Nations

The Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club (ROSC) has consistently been proud supporters of our area high schools. Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations, where students from around the world debate and discuss challenges that the world faces today. Participation improves students' public speaking skills, social confidence, college admissions and success chances, and career readiness. In 2022, ROSC was able to give funds to both teams from Kaiserslautern High School and Ramstein High School to attend their conference in The Hague.

“Model UN was really fun and an eye-opening experience to see so many people from different countries that you can interact with and learn about,” said Kaiserslautern High School student Sarah Thompson. “I learned so much about my committees' topics that changed my view of lots of real and relevant events today, but I also learned a lot about public speaking and being confident.”

Cub Scout 69 Trip to Normandy

In April 2022, thanks to proceeds from the Ramstein Bazaar, ROSC gave $1,000 to transport 10-12 families to Normandy by bus. The 2022 Normandy Camporee included traveling 1,500 kilometers (928 miles), stops at four museums, and visiting Omaha and Utah beaches. Scouts from all around Europe and the the United States came together to learn about what happened on D-Day and throughout WWll. 

On the final day, the scouts attended the closing ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery and Museum. There, tulips were placed, prayers were said, and families paid respect for those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This was very impactful for the scouts and their families. The scouts were not only able to learn about the sacrifices made in WWll, but they also built friendships and bonds with fellow scouts from around the world.