Cafe serves more than one purpose

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In a convenient place not too far away, Airmen can gather and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching television, playing video games or simply sitting and reading quietly.

Located in the basement of dorm 2333, the North Star Airmen's Café is a place for Airmen to escape the confines of their dorm rooms and the harsh Alaskan climate. The café is sponsored by the 354th Fighter Wing Chapel and is completely free for Airmen to use.

The café is open 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. by volunteers. Volunteers come from all backgrounds; Airmen, NCO's and even spouses.

"It's not only a good volunteer bullet, but it's a great way to hang out with friends and meet other Airmen," said Airman 1st Class Jaclyn Scott, a 354th Comptroller Squadron Airmen who volunteers at the café twice a week. "There aren't a lot of places to hang out when you live in the dorms. Having people hang out in your dorm room can get crowded and uncomfortable. The café is kind of like a living room where you can eat, watch TV, and play video games with your friends. I like to hang out with my friends and talk in the café."

The cafe is a supported by and considered a part of the base chapel's general Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund. It's a non-appropriated fund with a limited budget - of which most is spent on the cable and internet bills.

"In the past, we have benefited greatly from generous volunteers that would bring in a gallon of milk for their shift to help make the coffee, or an Airman donating their unused video games to expand our gaming library," said Staff Sgt. James Warren, a chapel NCO who oversees café operations. "Despite many offers, we cannot accept monetary donations, and we will never charge for our services. But people wanting to help are welcome to donate things like milk, sodas, water, ice cream, video games, board games and the like. Even though the Chapel sponsors the Café, I like to think of it as a community effort."

Every third Wednesday of the month, the café hosts the Chapel's "Airman's Dinner", formerly known as the Single Unaccompanied Member dinner.

"This is a great event where different squadrons or organizations host a free dinner for all Airmen E-4 and below, as well as our unaccompanied Airmen," said Sergeant Warren.

The chapel provides the funding, but the volunteer organization provides the work to put on the great spread.

"These dinners are always so much fun and a great way to meet new people," he added.

Dinners start at 5 p.m., and any organization or squadron can volunteer to host. This month's dinner has been moved to Monday, Dec. 14. As far as any other special events, the café volunteers love to put them on.

"I've always envisioned New Years Eve parties, Karaoke contests, and many other things. If the Airmen want it, and the volunteers want to support it, then I would encourage any interested parties to contact the chapel so we can accommodate it," said Sergeant Warren.

"Let's face it, for many of our young Airmen, Eielson can seem remote and dull in the winter. The café is a great tool to connect with friends and family from back home. Many Airmen use Xbox Live to play with buddies back home. Even more use the laptops to Facebook with family and friends," said Sergeant Warren. "It's a huge morale booster."