DAYTON — As federal workers across the country brace for another potential round of layoffs, community members from around the Dayton region are showing their support for the Wright-Patterson AFB workforce.

Community members came together for an early morning "clap-in" for federal workers as they headed into the base.

What You Need To Know

  • Community members are saying thank you and showing appreciation for federal workers

  • A small group held a clap-in for workers as they drove up I-675 and into WPAFB

  • Many remain concerned about future layoffs for federal workers

Christina Barr created the idea and spread the word because she just wanted to bring a little happiness.

“My husband works on base and he’s been telling me how all of his coworkers are just kind of down and there’s low morale,” Barr said.

“Federal workers show up every single day and they work really hard for the American people, many of them underpaid for the work they do that they could otherwise be paid for in the private sector,” said supporter Kelly Campbell.

Wright-Patterson is the largest single-site employer in Ohio with more than 38,000 workers.

The base plays an integral role in the Dayton region and many are connected in some way or another.  

 “I don’t know anyone who is not affected by the current layoffs and the threat of more layoffs. It’s just a scary time to be working in the federal government,” said Carrie D’Agostino

“I’ve worked with the government my whole life. My dad was a civil servant, my husband is currently retired military, civil servant and they’ve gone through a lot of fear for their jobs every day,” said Anne Kelly.

 Many people are keeping a close eye on the layoffs across the board.

Less than a week ago, some lawmakers in DC warned that more than 70,000 civilian personnel could be affected by another round of cuts.

“I have plenty of friends who work at the base or who have worked at the base and then transferred to other organizations within the government and they are those probationary employees that are showing up every day wondering if they’re going to be the next on the list,” Campbell said.

“Federal workers are our community, so it’s important to show them when they’re feeling scared about their jobs, about their livelihood, that their community supports them,” said D’Agostino. “Even if it’s getting up early and holding a sign on a bridge, I want to make sure people know we appreciate them and their work is essential."