Family Day Picnic little bit different this year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Schaap
  • 931st ARG Public Affairs
Per usual, this year's Family Day Picnic is slated for the Sunday of the September Unit Training Assembly.

The picnic itself, however, is shaping into something different from picnics of the past.
Probably most notable is the cost. Rather than requiring Group members to bring food, this year's picnic will be catered and paid for partially by picnic tickets sold on a sliding scale (see below for specific prices).

Senior Master Sgt. Pamela Summers said the decision to cater this year was made by the Family Day Picnic committee she is part of. When committee members were asked if they thought people would rather "pay a little than fuss with bringing a dish," hands went up. "'Yes, we'll pay,'" Sergeant Summers said with her arm raised, reenacting the overwhelming answer.

Catering the event also means, Sergeant Summers added, "nobody has to be slaving over the grill." The need to recruit an annual army of volunteers to man the charcoal has been eliminated, along with the heavy workload involved with food logistics.

Ways to simplify have been welcome in a year already preoccupied with a readiness inspection, an unexpected change of command, and a UTA-free July. Organizing lots of fun with little time was the mission given to this year's committee.

Most of the Group's sections have provided a representative to help organize, Sergeant Summers said, but a dozen or more volunteers are still needed to help set up the day of the picnic. The committee hopes to finalize picnic plans at a meeting during the August UTA.

Tech. Sgt. Shannan Hughes, Sergeant Summers' cohort in the 931st training office, is putting together a long list of carnival-type events for families to enjoy. "The Fishing Game" and "The Ducky Game" are among the activities she has planned for younger picnic goers. "All games...earn prizes," according to the picnic flyer Sergeant Hughes put together.

Older Group members will be able to team up with their children or fellow Airmen to compete for first, second and third-place ribbons in traditional events like three-legged races and tug of war. A sidewalk art contest is scheduled according to age division. "We provide the chalk. You provide the talent!" reads the flyer.

A dunk tank and a pie-in-the-face fundraiser similar to the one popular at last year's picnic are also being considered, Sergeant Summers said. A gift card raffle has already been established to help offset picnic costs. For just a $1 donation, family members could win a $100 gas card, $50 Best Buy card or $50 Wal-Mart card.

Donations from other sources like the 931st Human Resource Development Course and Friends of McConnell will also help with picnic costs, Sergeant Summers said.

Family Day Picnic 2008
When: Sunday of the September Unit Training Assembly (Sept. 14) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The picnic area next to the McConnell AFB pool
Cost: (below prices include Group members and as many family members as they want to bring)
Free for Senior Airman and below
$2 for Staff Sergeants, Technical Sergeants, 1st Lieutenants and 22nd Lieutenants
$5 for Master Sergeants, Captains and Majors
$10 for Senior Master Sergeants, Chiefs and Lieutenant Colonels
$20 for Colonels

Points of Contact
Shannan Hughes, Marvell Summerow, Pam Summers, William Eaton, Cameron Collins, Mindi Whiting, Brandi Evans, Michael Sloan