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Family Fun Mile, 5K to kick off Week of the Air Force Family

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa Copeland
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The Week of the Air Force Family at Maxwell-Gunter kicks off with a Family Fun Mile and 5K, scheduled for Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Air Park here.
The month of November is also National Military Family Appreciation Month.

"This kickoff event will highlight the programs and agencies that provide resources, assistance and support that benefit the entire Air Force family, be it active-duty, civilians, dependents, Guard and Reserve or retirees," said Maj. Michelle Tarkowski, 42nd Force Support Squadron operations officer and Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family co-chair.

The Family Fun Mile and 5K, in addition to all Air Force Family Week activities, are open to all members of the Maxwell and Gunter community.

"Family is the foundation of our strength as individuals," said Derrick Sanders, Family Support Branch chief and Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family co-chair.

Air Force leaders have emphasized the strength of the U.S. is our Airmen and their families.

Mr. Sanders said, "It is imperative that we make sure this source of strength is a priority."

The Oct. 31 kickoff event will feature prizes such as VIP tickets to the annual Glenn Miller concert and the Maxwell 2010 Air Show and tickets to the movie 'Dracula.' 

In addition to prizes, the event will feature food and informational booths spotlighting various base and local organizations.

"Not only will this be a fun time for all, it will provide a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the upcoming events planned for the Year of the Air Force Family," he said.

Additional activities for the Week of the Air Force Family include focused events in each of the four Year of the Air Force Family pillars: health and wellness; Airman and family housing; Airman and family support; and education, development and employment.

To start the week, families will have the opportunity to play a shorter, easier and faster course Nov. 1 at Maxwell's Cypress Tree Golf Course.

For those Airmen and families with currently deployed or soon-to-deploy service members, there will be a deployed link dinner in addition to an educational information seminar at the Maxwell Events Center Nov. 3.

Civilianjobs.com will host a Career Expo at the Maxwell Officers' Club Nov. 5.

Maxwell families with an artistic flair will have an opportunity to shine in the Armed Forces Family Art Contest Nov. 5.

"The art contest at Maxwell Elementary also supports Wounded Warrior Month as the winning submissions will be forwarded to designated wounded warrior care centers for display," Mr. Sanders said.

To round out the family recognition week, the Maxwell Youth Center will host a family cooking class Nov. 6 for those wishing to perfect their culinary skills together.

"We chose these events because they showcase our base support agencies and appeal to a variety of our Air Force family members while highlighting the Year of the Air Force Family's pillars of excellence," Major Tarkowski said.

Maxwell-specific family activity information will soon be available via the Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family Web site, to be part of the Maxwell FSS homepage, www.maxwellservices.us.

"A goal of the Year of the Air Force Family program is to consolidate Maxwell-Gunter events and ensure that they get the necessary visibility," Mr. Sanders said. "We have a great group of folks from agencies across the bases who are helping to make this happen."

For more information on any of the Week of the Air Force Family events, call Major Tarkowski at 953-5121 or Mr. Sanders at 953-2353.