Families of deployed have “heyday” thanks to Airmen and Family Readiness Center Published Jan. 6, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It was their heyday. Approximately 125 people attended an evening of fun, food and camaraderie Dec. 19 at HeyDay Entertainment Center in Norman. Presented by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the event invited families who have a deployed military member or one that will soon deploy, and did not travel for the holidays. "This event hit the nail on the head," said Charlotte "Charlie" Lewis, Tinker's Caring for People coordinator. "Several participants approached me during the event and expressed how they were having such a wonderful time. It is safe to say everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship." Master Sgt. Keith Scott of the A&FRC agreed. "The event was definitely a success," he said. "We hoped that families were able to simply get away for a night and not have to worry about what's for dinner and how they were going to entertain the kids for the evening and just feel appreciated. We did that." Upon arrival at HeyDay, attendees were given roughly $5 worth of game tokens and invited to enjoy a pizza and salad buffet, with drinks and dessert included. Laser tag, the overhead ropes course and arcade games, which dispensed prize tickets, were popular spots of fun. Before attendees left at the end of the night, each child was treated to three games, books or toys from a selection of goodies donated by Dollar Tree and Scholastic Books. "Watch those fingers, I'm going to start playing rough in a second," said Christine Nichols who teased her daughter, 6-year-old Marielle, during an intense game of air soccer, played on an air hockey table. "No freebies for you. You're too good at this." Ms. Nichols attended the event with her two kids, a friend and her children. She said her husband, who is assigned to the 507th Air Refueling Wing is expected home in March. Meanwhile, 3-year-old Susanna Hipp pulled her mother's hand, eager to keep moving. Katherin Hipp said she had heard about the event from a friend who works with her husband, who is deployed with the 752nd Operations Support Squadron. In another part of the room, Bryn Brown looks up and cheers for her son, 7-year-old Finn, who inches along on the ropes course that is suspended over the arcade games. "My kids love HeyDay and I thought this would be fun," said Ms. Brown said, whose husband, a member of the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group, is deployed. While a fun and stress-free evening was the first priority, Tech. Sgt. Jason Crosby, of the A&FRC, said it is also important to take care of military families. "I think the event was important just to help our families relax while their loved ones are deployed, to ensure them that they are an important part of the Air Force team," he said, "and to let them know that the A&FRC is here for them anytime." Sergeant Scott agreed, adding his adoration for Brad and Keri Little, owners of HeyDay. "They reached out to Tinker and the families with genuine support and exceeded expectations for this event," he said. "They're continuous support of the military should not go unnoticed. They always provide everything at a discounted rate for military customers and often aid in special events for the military community." Airman and Family Readiness Center personnel are already planning the next family fellowship event to happen later this month. The event partners Tinker with Build-A-Bear Workshop to allow children to stuff a bear with a voice box that has their deployed parent's voice recorded on it. "The goal is to create a Kodak moment for the families while creating the bear. Plus, the children have the bear and can hear Mom or Dad's voice while they are deployed," Ms. Lewis said. For more information regarding the upcoming event, call the A&FRC at 739-2747 or Ms. Lewis at 734-6474.