AEDC employee promotes AEDC in the community

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  It's no surprise that Greg Sandlin, an Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) engineer, former Tullahoma alderman and Tullahoma Rotary Club member, readily promotes Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in his community of Tullahoma.

AEDC's support contractor, ATA, encourages employee community support through volunteering, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) educational support or monetary donations.

When a community support opportunity arose for a project that would benefit youth and their development, Sandlin urged the Tullahoma Rotary Clubs to choose an aerospace theme promoting Tullahoma as a place of Aerospace Excellence because of its AEDC history.

The project, the Rotary Rocket Playground, was an upgrade to Tullahoma's Frazier McEwen Park playground facilities.

The playground was designed with two sections - one for children ages three to five and one for children ages five to 12.

Frazier McEwen Park is centrally located, within walking distance of many Tullahoma neighborhoods and available to all citizens. The park may receive visitors from the local community and visitors from areas within a 30-minute driving distance from the park.

Sandlin was one of many advocates pushing the project forward and seeking funding.

The ATA Employee and Community Activities committee made a monetary contribution to add to the donation efforts of Tullahoma Rotary Clubs and the Tullahoma Parks and Recreation Department.

"It has been a privilege being involved in this project," Sandlin said. "It has been a tremendous team effort between the two Tullahoma Rotary Clubs, the Rotary District 6780, the City of Tullahoma and the State of Tennessee."

The complete cost of the two year project totaled approximately $120,000 and was funded through donations and grants.

"My hope is that AEDC and its employees will continue to donate generously to community organizations and projects as they have done so in the past," Sandlin said.

The Rotary Rocket Playground project was recognized for its accomplishments by receiving the 2011-2012 Lacy-Bomar Award.

The award recognizes excellence in service and is named for the past Rotary Club of Cookeville President James Lacy and past Rotary Club of Shelbyville President James Bomar Jr.

Sandlin said, "It [the Rotary Rocket Playground project] was in competition with projects from 65 other Rotary Clubs in the Rotary District."

Dec. 2 will mark the one year anniversary of the Rotary Rocket Playground opening.