Year of the Air Force Family comes to an end

  • Published
  • By Joy Hopper
  • Airman and Family Readiness Center chief
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As July draws to an end, so does the Year of the Air Force Family. Throughout the year, Goodfellow has been celebrating military families from all Armed Services including guardsmen, reservists and retirees.

Although the program's official recognition of military families ends July 30, the Air Force remains committed to addressing quality of life issues for families and single Airmen. Some areas of particular interest include developing new programs for single Airmen, adding a school liaison officer at all bases and improving support for families who have a member with special medical or educational needs. The Integrated Delivery System, comprised of agencies throughout the base, always welcomes suggestions about these and other quality of life issues.

During the year-long celebration, activities included segments in entertainment, education and support. Some activities during Military Family Appreciation Month in November included a movie on the lawn and a Thanksgiving cooking demonstration from a local chef to a retiree health fair.

As the New Year began, the Fitness Center also offered an array of activities to help military members and their families embrace a healthier lifestyle. February highlighted financial fitness with Military Saves Week. During the week, the housing office hosted a homebuyers' seminar, and the Airman & Family Readiness Center offered classes on budgeting, credit reports and investing.

In the Spring, the education center held an education fair addressing the specific needs of spouses while the A&FRC hosted a law enforcement job fair, including the FBI, Secret Service, Border Patrol and local police departments. The Special Training of Military Parents program joined together parents with special needs children, and various educational and medical providers to work with these families.

In May, the safety office sponsored a special day dedicated to summer safety concerns and the importance of being a good wingman. They also sponsored a Safe Kids Buckle-Up event properly fitting child safety seats in the car.

One of the most popular events of this special year was the DePlayment Tags. Families who experienced a deployment were offered free services to ease deployment stress and to entertain the family in the member's absence. Activities included monthly family nights at the Event Center, special camps through the Youth Center, child care services at the Child Development Center, and canoe trips, pool passes and swim lessons through outdoor recreation.

On Aug. 27 at 7 p.m., a celebration honoring the year-long event will be held on the field between the Event Center and Bowling Alley, and all Goodfellow personnel are invited. There will be dunk tanks, water slides, bounce houses and a DJ. At 9 p.m. there will be a movie on the lawn.

To volunteer to help this event, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 325-654-3893.