EFMP families gain access to resources, fun

Published Sept. 1, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Junnifer Buzanowski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- More than a dozen helping agencies from Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane community reached out to 100 family members at the 3rd Annual Exceptional Family Member Program Information and Fun Fair at the Deel Community Center Friday.

Outside giant bouncers and a game truck could be seen staffed with volunteer Airmen who served as safety monitors. Volunteer grill masters served 90 hot dogs and 100 hamburgers and the fondue fountain melted five pounds of chocolate that was consumed with strawberries, bananas, marshmallows and graham crackers. Family activities included face painting, air tattoos and build your own tool boxes.

All this could not have been possible without the 40 volunteers who made it happen. "We had overwhelming support," said Steve McMullen, 92nd Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center school liason officer. "The volunteers made it possible - the event was too big for just a small number of people."

McMullen said the great thing about this event was that it took place before the start of the new school year.

"We wanted the children to be able to take part. From the surveys and feedback we received families thought we had great resources available providing information and they liked having the activities for their children to participate in," McMullen said.

"We wanted to make a lasting impression on the kids - and we wanted people to know that this was a welcoming and safe place to bring their kids to enjoy themselves,"said McMullen, father of four special needs children, who said sometimes it is difficult if your child has a severe disability to make public outings.

Fairchild families, both with and without EFMP family members, attended.

"This was an inclusive event that gave families a chance to meet and make friends with other families and peers," he said. "Also, if members wondered if one of their family members should enroll in EFMP we had beneficiary services from the clinic available to answer those questions as well."

The EFMP fair was a great resource for anyone who wanted to learn what resources, both on and off base, were available to Airmen." he said. "Fairchild is unique in that we regularly bring together multiple resources in one place to help families - and it's my full-time job to research available resources to EFMP families."

EFMP families who need assistance learning about local available resources for their family member's disability, disease or special need can call McMullen at the A&FRC at 247-2246.

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