Project CHEER: Program provides special events, activities for single Airmen Published Dec. 8, 2006 By Jill Fuson 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- As military serving overseas, not all service members will be able to travel home to the U.S. to celebrate the holiday season with their families. For those away from family this holiday season, Project CHEER: Creating Hope, Energy, Enthusiasm and Recreation, provides special events and programming for single and unaccompanied Airmen with a variety of opportunities to relax, socialize and enjoy themselves during the winter months. "There are hundreds of different activities bases offer as a part of their Project CHEER program," said Col. Frank Pombar, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Services director. "Each base is hosting a variety of fun activities for Airmen, such as ski trips, fitness runs, Armed Forces entertainment concerts and movie nights." More than 2,150 base level Project CHEER programs in fiscal year 2006 have been attended by nearly 120,000 Air Force wide Airmen, an increase of 60 percent over the 2004 program. More than $450,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorship have been garnered for Project CHEER events over the last two seasons with commercial sponsors providing prizes, including a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Sony Playstations and Armed Forces Vacation Club certificates. More than 10,000 USAFE Airmen are treated to a variety of special events and programs designed especially for them, including free movies, popcorn and a soda at Army, Air Force Exchange Service theatres during Project CHEER's Merry Movie Magic program over the holidays. RAF Lakenheath offers numerous activities in conjunction with USAFE Services. Events include: - New movie night on Tuesdays at 48th Avenue, which shows newly released DVD's on a big screen television - Texas Hold'em on Tuesdays at the Liberty Club - Pool Shark Tournament Jan. 13 - USAFE Xbox tournament Jan. 20, the team will play against teams all over the command - Healthy holiday fitness incentive program, bowling tournaments, and several paintball, ski, snowboard and caving trips through the Outdoor Recreation Center - Country and Western and Rhythm and Blues nights sponsored by the Liberty Club The Project CHEER website, http://www. projectcheer.org,features information on giveaways, prizes, events and all the USAFE programs taking place. For more information on RAF Lakenheath Project CHEER program, stop by 48th Avenue or contact Ruben Cerda at 226-5931 or ruben.cerda@lakenheath. af.mil.