PLAYpass cards help foster resilience

  • Published
  • By Erin Tindell
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  The PLAYpass card program is one way Air Force quality of life programs help build a resilient force.

The cards, valued at more than $500, allow eligible members to participate in Air Force Services activities such as trips, sports and childcare at either a reduced cost or free of charge. Eligible members include: single Airmen returning from deployments, families of deployed members and families of members at dependent-restricted assignments.

This year, the PLAYpass program was extended to single Airmen, a demographic that represents 40 percent of the Air Force. So far, nearly 1,000 single Airmen have registered for the cards.

"We're excited to expand this program to single Airmen to provide deployment respite and help with reintegration," said Linda Weston, an Air Force Services Agency marketing specialist. "Single Airmen can visit their Airman and family readiness centers once they return to register for the card."

Additionally, families of members stationed at dependent-restricted assignments were added as eligible participants, Weston said.

"We wanted to ensure all family members left behind, whether due to deployments or dependent-restricted assignments, can take advantage of the many benefits PLAYpass cards offer to foster a sense of resilience," Weston said. "Airmen with families can contact their first sergeant or Airman and family readiness center at their home station to get their family members started on this great program."

One Air Force community where PLAYpass has been popular is Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., with nearly 1,500 participants to date, officials said. According to Charlotte Lewis, a caring for people coordinator at Tinker AFB, the program helps ease the pressures and stress associated with deployments, especially for families.

"Families tell me how grateful they are for the program because it helps the time their loved one is deployed pass by a little bit faster," she said.

Lewis said one mother with three school-age children took advantage of the discounts over the summer while her husband was deployed. She was able to sign her children up for youth center field trips. Additionally, she was able to have some "mommy time" and registered for an arts and crafts center class.

"She stated this has been one of the best summers in a very long time," Lewis recounted. "The children did not complain as often about missing their father because she was able to keep them so busy."

Since the program launched in late May, nearly 23,000 eligible members have participated in PLAYpass, officials said. Services officials said the top activities used with the discount cards include youth programs, swimming pools, outdoor recreation, golf, bowling and information, tickets and travel offices. PLAYpass participation runs through Dec. 31, 2012.

For more information about the PLAYpass program, program eligibility and other quality of life programs, visit www.MyAirForceLife.com or your installation force support squadron.