Project Cheer: Incirlik turns frowns upside-down

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erica Stewart
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The traditional holiday season brings to mind feelings of togetherness, warmth and thoughts of family for most people. It is a time to gather with close friends and family, sharing meals and the joy of the season.

This same time frame often evokes the opposite feelings for unaccompanied Airmen overseas who are far from their nuclear families.

Project Cheer is a program designed to provide additional support to single and unaccompanied Airmen, ages 18 to 25, during the winter and holiday months.

"Project Cheer was designed five years ago to give young adults on-base activities during the holiday season," said Clarence Little, Community Center director and Incirlik's Project Cheer point of contact.

According to the official Project Cheer Web site, "Project Cheer stands for creating hope, energy, and enthusiasm for young Airmen ... by scheduling high-energy events that will draw Airmen to attend."

Some of the events Incirlik has introduced in recent months are Rock Band Jam Tournaments, glow in the dark golf tournament, Late Night at the library as well as a slew of Texas Hold em' poker tournaments.

The high-energy events aren't all that draw in Airmen; as some events offer a more lucrative reward.

"The next Rock Band Jam tournament Feb. 20 has cash prizes for the first and second place winners," Mr. Little said. "The cash was sponsored by Project Cheer: first place will receive $300 and second place will receive $150."

The program's primary goal is to foster camaraderie and a sense of family amongst unaccompanied Airmen.

We feel that alcohol related incidents have a direct correlation to the fact that Airmen feel as if they have nothing better to do, said Mr. Little. "Project Cheer can provide Airmen with other options while bringing people together, fostering camaraderie and a sense of family."

For more information on Project Cheer events call the community center at 676-6966.