SAFE volunteers volunteers gave back to the community in a very big way at the Aerospace Museum of California recently washing historical aircraft, some with wingspans. Photo courtesy of Safe Credit Union

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – About 35 SAFE Credit Union employees gave back to the community in a very big way at the Aerospace Museum of California recently washing historical aircraft, some with wingspans varying between 21 and 57 feet long.

Volunteers helped care for and preserve the aircraft including the Fairchild-Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II “Warthog,” a Douglas A-1E “Skyraider” attack bomber, and a Lockheed F-104B “Starfighter” used by NASA. (Video 1, 2, 3, 4)

It was the second time since SAFE’s employee resource group VALOR (Veterans and Loved Ones Resource) organized to wash aircraft at the museum in McClellan Park. The first time they washed four planes. At the more recent turnout, and with help from members of SAFE’s employee resource group EmpowHERment to commemorate Girls in Aviation Day, volunteers washed 16 planes in just over an hour.

“My favorite part about volunteering at the museum was bringing a large group of people together to experience these historic aircraft and play a small role in preserving them,” says SAFE Credit Union VALOR member Kimberly Ross, of Rio Linda, who organized the volunteer event. “Each plane has its own unique story, and it was great to learn more about their history while helping keep them in great condition for future visitors.”

 SAFE volunteers and EmpowHERment members Selena Caraveo and Kai Ventura of Oak Park, take a break from washing planes at the Aerospace Museum of California. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen

Volunteers, like SAFE Credit Union Senior Engagement and Change Specialist Jolana Lance of Elk Grove, were excited to be a part of military history and aviation history.

“As the lead of EmpowHERment, I was excited to support an event that aligned so closely with our mission of empowering and inspiring women,” Lance says. “Girls in Aviation Day encourages young women to explore careers and opportunities in aviation, aerospace, and in STEM, which made this volunteer opportunity especially meaningful to me.”

Aerospace Museum of California Chief Executive Officer Tom Jones says he appreciates how much hard work each volunteer put into scrubbing and rinsing off all of the dirt that can accumulate onto the historic aircraft.

Volunteers, including SAFE employee Roxy Menendez of Rancho Cordova, center, wash under the wing of an aircraft at the Aerospace Museum of California. Photo courtesy of Robyn Eifertsen

“We are grateful to SAFE volunteers who came out to the museum to wash the planes,” Jones says. “As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit we rely on help like this from our partners and members of the community.”

SAFE’s 86-year heritage stretches back to 1940, when it started as a credit union serving Army Air Corps personnel at what would later become McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, now home to McClellan Park.

VALOR, formed in 2024, supports employees who are former and current military service members and their families as well as those living within Sacramento area communities. The group recently wrapped up its third annual flag collection drive to help members and the public retire old and worn U.S. flags properly and respectfully under the U.S. Flag Code.

EmpowHERment, like VALOR, is one of eight employee resource groups at SAFE committed to building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and connected.

For more information about SAFE’s employee resource groups VALOR and EmpowHERment, contact SAFE Credit Union Senior Communications and Public Relations Specialist Robyn Eifertsen at [email protected] or 916-809-7002.

For more information about the Aerospace Museum of California, contact Vice President of Advancement Karen Jones at [email protected] or 916-717-9650.