Tinker Air Force Base Youth Center, a United Way of Central Oklahoma Partner Agency, provides a fun place for military kids. Offering multiple sports programs, before and after school care, and other unique activities, the center supports military families who are often strained while a parent is deployed.
“You never get bored at the Youth Center, but baseball is my favorite!” says eight-year-old Garrett Fleck.
In November 2006, the center received the Excellence in Youth Sports Award from the National Alliance for Youth Sports and Athletic Business Magazine. Out of approximately 150 entries, the youth center was one of five winners and received more than $5,000 in cash and prizes.
Mindy Whittington, sports and fitness director, says, “During this time of war, many military families struggle financially due to deployments. The United Way money is our way of keeping military children active with very little cost to our families.”
Through the center, Tinker kids have the opportunity to compete in hula hoop contests, indoor kickball and relay races. Court of Dreams, a partnership with the Oklahoma City Hornets, allowed coaches, parents and children from the youth center to play a game on the Ford Center’s court before watching a regular-season game. Families can pay a small fee to send their 13 to 18-year-olds on the annual spring break ski trip. The youth center’s largest programs are basketball and baseball. And, recently added innovative fitness machines like stationary bicycles equipped with PlayStation 2 units and Dance Dance Revolution, offer kids one more unique way to have fun with fitness.
The funds provided by United Way help keep patron fees down to an affordable $40 per person. Patron fees cover sporting league costs, uniforms and end of the season awards. |
