Play Pass cards filled with benefits for deployers Published Sept. 30, 2011 By Mike W. Ray Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force is literally giving away money at Tinker, but surprisingly few people are taking advantage of the free gift. More than 510 individuals and families have registered to receive PLAYpass cards, which work like a debit card, but relatively few of the recipients have used them, apparently because of skepticism or confusion. A little over $300,000 has been encumbered for the program at Tinker Air Force Base, but only $19,155 was spent from May through August, said Charlotte "Charlie" Lewis, the Caring for People coordinator at Tinker. "I'm signing up people left and right," she said. "However, getting them to utilize the cards is what we need." The cards enable single Airmen returning from deployments, and families of deployed personnel, to participate in services activities -- such as trips, sports and child care -- at reduced or no cost. The cards are valued at $585 for single Airmen and for couples, and a separate card is worth an additional $250 per child, regardless of the number of children in the family. The program "helps ease the pressures and stress associated with deployments, especially for families," said Mrs. Lewis, who is one of only nine Caring for People coordinators in the entire U.S. Air Force. Unlike the dePLAYment program last year, the PLAYpass program has been extended to single Airmen, too. "This will provide them with deployment respite and help with reintegration," said Linda Weston, Air Force Services Agency marketing specialist. Members who are deployed stateside or overseas are eligible for the cards, Mrs. Lewis said. "If they go TDY for 30 days or more in support of an operation, they qualify." PLAYpass cards are valid at Air Force Force Support/Services-operated programs. The only restrictions are that the cards cannot be used for food, beverages or merchandise, and cannot be redeemed for cash. The discount cards can be used for youth programs, swimming, outdoor recreation such as golf, bowling, arts and crafts classes, tickets and travel. Parents can use the card for up to 10 hours of child care per child, Mrs. Lewis noted. Patrons can call a Child Development Center on Mondays and sign up for "parental R&R" on any day of that particular week, Mrs. Lewis said. Previously a parent could ask for child care only on the day the request was placed, she said. Tinker has two Child Development Centers: CDC East, 734-4212, and CDC West, behind Bldg. 5703, the bowling center, 734-3646. Both of those facilities accommodate children aged 3 months to 5 years. The Youth Center, for school-age children, can be reached at 734-7866. The Department of Defense has earmarked $10 million for the PLAYpass program and, "Tinker is leading the way," Mrs. Lewis said. Tinker had registered 510 Airmen by Sept. 13 -- more than any other base in the Air Force, records show. "And those numbers don't include the children," Mrs. Lewis was quick to add. To register for the card, Airmen should visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 6001, after their return from deployment. Also, "If a military member knows he is about to be deployed, bring me a letter from his commander confirming that the member will be deploying, I'll allow him to sign up ahead of time," Mrs. Lewis said. She can be reached at 734-6474. Around 19,000 PLAYpass cards have been issued to eligible members since the program was launched in late May, officials said. The cards will be handed out through Dec. 31.