Wing hosts holiday party

  • Published
  • By Airman Nathan Riley
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  The 28th Bomb Wing Holiday Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 1 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn.

The party is open to Ellsworth employees and their families and fees are staggered based on rank and grade. The fee will cover a dinner of either London broil or dijion and parmesan-encrusted chicken and entertainment.

Part of that entertainment will be provided by the three winners of the elves and Santa competition. Members of wing leadership with the most votes will sing a Christmas song at the party in full costume. The competition raises money to reduce the ticket price of the holiday party. It also has an effect on morale.

"The competition builds an atmosphere where everyone is in the holiday spirit," said Chief Master Sgt. John Gillette, 28th Bomb Wing command chief. "It helps build camaraderie."

Chief Gillette isn't just a supporter of this competition, but he's one of the members eligible for the competition. Other eligible candidates include colonels, squadron commanders and chiefs. To place a vote for who you'd like to wear elf or Santa gear during the party, contact your squadron's first sergeant or unit representative. Each vote costs $1 and are accepted through 8 a.m., Nov. 29. The presentation of the elf and Santa competition winners will conclude the formal part of the evening and the dance floor will open up shortly after.

To help ensure partygoers can really relax and enjoy the holiday festivities, child care will be available and designated drivers are on standby.

Child care is available at the child development center and Dakota Ridge Child Care from 5:30 through 10:30 p.m.

Personnel can contact the CDC before 5:30 p.m., Nov. 22 to make appointments. Child care is free for families of deployed members or with other hardship situations, otherwise cost is $3 an hour. Parents whose children are not enrolled in the CDC must complete registration before Dec. 1. For more information, call the CDC at 385-2488.

To utilize the child care at the DRCC, members must sign up using the 28th Bomb Wing Holiday Party e-mail distribution list on Ellsworth global e-mail by 4 p.m. Nov. 24. Cost is on a donation basis. Sign ups must include the children's name, age, food allergies and a contact number for the night of the party.

With the children taken care of, partygoers must also take care of themselves. For that reason, designated drivers will be available. DDs will be identified by special name tags and have volunteered to help ensure people make it home safely.

With all the entertainment and food, the party is a time for the wing to relax.

The wing works hard, so the party is a chance to get together and enjoy ourselves, said Maj. Jeff Engelker, 28th Bomb Wing chief weapon specialist officer of standardization and evaluation.

To sign up for the party, Ellsworth personnel should speak with their unit representative or first sergeant (see sidebar). Officers, master sergeants and GS-7s pay $25 a person; staff and technical sergeants, and GS-6s and below are charged $15 a person; and senior airmen and below pay $10.

For more information, contact Major Engelker at 385-5030.