Free games provide fun for Air Force families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen and their families gathered for an afternoon of activities and entertainment at the PRIDE Hangar, March 5.

The event, sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, provided participants an opportunity to spend time together and have fun as a family.

Airman 1st Class Khayriyyah Simmons, Air Force Financial Services Center finance technician, said this was a great way for parents to take a break.

"It's nice to be able to give parents a break by being here," Airman Simmons said. "I'm happy to help other Airmen have a free, fun opportunity to enjoy with their families, and give their children a chance to leave the house after being cooped up due to the cold weather."

Rachel Ollivant, wife of Airman 1st Class David Ollivant, AFFSC finance technician, said her 2-year-old son needed this time out of the house, and that braving the cold weather was worth a trip to the PRIDE Hangar to enjoy all the activities.

"When we got to the PRIDE Hangar, the inflatable castles were already up so my son was able to go inside and jump around," Mrs. Ollivant said. "It's really nice that this event is taking place here because there's plenty of room inside the PRIDE Hangar, and it's a safe environment for children to run around freely."

The facility was adorned with inflated balloons and featured a table with bottles and wands for blowing bubbles, tires laid flat on their side to walk or jump through, targets children could shoot with soft darts, and oversized soft bowling ball to roll toward soft bowling pins and four inflatable jumping gyms themed as a sports arena, a tiger, a dolphin and a castle.

While some children elected to run through all the activities in the obstacle course, others walked along the running track, rode along in strollers, blew bubbles, tossed a football or posed for their parents as they snapped photos of their children.

"Air Force families are a major contributing factor to the success of the mission," said Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander. "The support Airmen receive from their families every day is vital to their overall wellness. It's only right that we show our appreciation to our families by providing events like this, and give them some thanks in return for all they do for us."