Project CHEER adds spice to life

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  • USAFE
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Enhancing the quality of life for our single and unaccompanied Airmen is what Project CHEER is all about. Project CHEER stands for Creating Hope, Energy, Enthusiasm and Recreation for our young Airmen and runs from November through March annually. The last fiscal year's Project CHEER program was the best yet - featuring more than 2,150 base-level Project CHEER programs attended by nearly 120,000 Airmen, an increase of 60 percent from the 2005 program. Project CHEER also garnered $450,000 in cash/in-kind sponsorship throughout the command for Project CHEER events between 2004 and 2006. 

Now Airmen can get ready for a better Project CHEER season. This year's Project CHEER program will feature hundreds of dollars worth of prizes, a Harley Davidson motorcycle giveaway, and hundreds of exciting and fun events throughout the season. Also, new to the program is the launch of the Web site www.projectcheer.org featuring information on prizes, giveaways, events and all the U. S. in Air Forces Europe command programs taking place. 

The program is designed to provide additional support to single and unaccompanied Airmen ages 18 to 25 during the winter and holiday season when needed most. The special interest program develops and implements special events and programming that provide Airmen with various opportunities to socialize, relax and enjoy themselves.
Beginning with Thanksgiving, single and unaccompanied Airmen are treated to a variety of special events and programs designed especially for them. In November and December 2005, more than 5,000 Airmen in USAFE enjoyed a free AAFES movie, popcorn and a soda, on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day during Project CHEER's Merry Movie Magic program. 

According to Mandy Smith-Nethercott, USAFE's Project CHEER point of contact, there are hundreds of different activities bases offer as a part of their Project CHEER program. "Each base is hosting a variety of fun activities for Airmen such as ski trips, fitness runs, Armed Forces Entertainment concerts and movie nights," said Ms. Smith-Nethercott. "Services is proud to play a big part of the program by offering several USAFE Services command programs such as Texas Hold'em, Auto Hobby Car Show, Xbox Challenges, Pool Shark Tournaments, Cosmic Bowling and USAFE Paintball," she added. 

Incirlik Air Base also plans on getting in on the Project CHEER action. 

"In the middle of November, Project CHEER representatives will be visiting us to talk with young Airmen about activities they enjoy," said Billy Anderson, 39th Services Squadron acting community support flight chief. "The team will take back those ideas to USAFE and start trying to implement them throughout USAFE bases." 

"Our goal throughout the Project CHEER season is to get Airmen out of their dorm rooms," said Mr. Anderson. "We plan on offering our regular Service's activities but at discounted prices. This way if there was an Airman in the dorms who wanted to try skiing but was hesitant of going because of the price, we'll try to take away their hesitation." 

Commercial sponsors are also proud to be part of the program with cash and in-kind coming to support the program. "We have phenomenal support from sponsors this year - we have lots of prizes to give away including a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Sony Playstations, and Armed Forces Vacation Club certificates," said Ms. Smith-Nethercott.
Stop by the Project CHEER headquarters at the 39th SVS for detailed information on what's happening at Incirlik.  (Senior Airman Patrice Clarke contributed to this article)