Wired Café revamped

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  More than 100 Airmen joined wing leadership for the Airman's Appreciation Barbecue at the dormitory complex July 25.

Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander, joined the Airmen for food and games such as slip-n-slide dodgeball and 3-on-3 basketball. The event was held at the Wired Café located centrally within the base's dorms.

The appreciation barbecue was a kick off to the grand re-opening of the Wired Café that had seemed for so long to be just another building. According to Staff Sgt. Daniel Zachman, NCO in charge of Airmen's ministry, the event was to show Airmen living in the dorms that they have a place away from their room to have fun, meet new people and enjoy a healthy atmosphere without having to travel off base.

"It's so close to the dorms but once your inside enjoying a week night with your friends, you don't feel like you're even on base," said Airman Steven Adams, a volunteer for the Wired Café.

The appreciation barbecue is only one occasion the Wired Café has on its schedule. Adams opens the café around 6 p.m. Thursdays for Airmen to participate in board games, movies and recreation. Occasionally a hot dinner is served and snacks are donated. On other nights many people use the facility to meet for other activities like hiking, church or for a movie.

"Having this area available gives most (Airmen in the dorms) something to look forward to every day," said Adams.

"We hope that these events will make Airmen want to get out of their dorms and make friends," said Zachman. The Wired Café is in the process of getting new furniture, Wi-Fi and an espresso machine in hopes to draw more attention to the Airmen. Once more equipment becomes available, Airmen will be encouraged to volunteer to help keep the café open and available 24 hours a day.

"A place ran by Airmen for Airmen," said Adams.

Airmen, as well as Soldiers, will be encouraged to the use of this facility as we become one team under the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson project, said Zachman.

For more information, contact Zachman at 552-4422 or e-mail daniel.zachman@elmendorf.af.mil. His office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the Wired Café.