Family Fun Fest sparks awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis held a Family Fun Fest Wednesday at the Airman and Family Readiness Center to kick off Month of the Military Child, National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Autism Awareness Month.

The Family Fun Fest was a collaborative event to celebrate and recognize military children.

Commanders representing the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 349th AMW and 621st Contingency Response Wing kicked off the event with a proclamation signing for Month of the Military Child.

Col. Leonard Kosinski, 60th AMW vice commander, also had the opportunity to sign a Month of the Military Child proclamation with the city of Fairfield.

The proclamations paid tribute to military children, acknowledging their commitment, support and sacrifices as their parents serve in the armed services. Military children face special challenges due to their lifestyles, environment and sacrifices.

There are more than 1.76 million children and youth in military families. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, since 2001, approximately 2 million children have experienced deployment of a parent.

"Here at Travis, we currently have more than 600 Airmen deployed around the globe," Kosinski said. "It is important we take the time to observe the additional challenges children in military families face."

Latrise Muchison, 60th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy outreach manager, said the theme was "every child matters" while it focused on health, wellness and safety.
"This is an awareness event with a carnival atmosphere," said Jaye Hurt, 60th Force Support Squadron A&FRC Family Fun Fest coordinator. "The event is to honor kids and bring awareness to autism and child abuse."

The event included agencies both on and off base, providing information for parents and activities for children, such as the Fairfield Police Department fingerprinted kids.

Other agencies included law enforcement representatives from Office of Special Investigation, Vacaville Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Travis' security forces and emergency medical service personnel came out to provide resources, information and activities. Individuals from David Grant USAF Medical Center also provided health information.

The carnival-like atmosphere brought bouncy castles, cotton candy, popcorn, games and activities for the children. They also had the opportunity to plant a pinwheel in the pinwheel garden.

"Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign during Child Abuse Prevention Month," Muchison said. "The pinwheel garden raises awareness for child abuse month. Some communities use the pinwheels to represent the number of children affected by child abuse."

The event, which was aimed at providing fun yet educational information, reached approximately 700 individuals.

"The Family Fun Fest provided families information and resources for them to better prepare for any situations that may arise," Hurt said.

Kosinski added that the care of military children is what sustains the fighting force, strengthens the health, security and safety of the nation's families and communities.

"Our children make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, quietly shouldering part of the burden," he said. "What they do is very important and should not go unnoticed."