Every year in November, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation celebrates and honors military Families. This year is no exception.
All month long, Families can take advantage of special, low-cost and free offers, and exciting events at FMWR activities.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the wide range of great Family-focused specials our dedicated managers - and marketing geniuses - came up with for 2015," said FMWR Director Dan Ahern. "I've served with Army Family and MWR at four (U.S.-based) garrisons and two (overseas) regions now, and this is far and away the best and most exciting display of Military Family Appreciation Month specials I've ever seen."
On Sunday, FMWR will kick off the monthlong celebration with a deeply discounted brunch at the NCO Club - $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.
"This is a real, retro-priced package," Ahern said. "We're unofficially calling it 'Back to the Future' pricing this month. I mean, who's seen a $5 price point for a fantastic, full-service brunch since 1984?"
Brunch will be 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and feature Sarah Dippity, who will do face painting. Special guest will be the Sugar Plum Fairy from Columbia City Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker," from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Columbia City Ballet will perform a special Fort Jackson showing of "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Nov. 14, at the Solomon Center.
Tickets are available at Victory Travel. Cost is $5 per family - no matter how big the family is - for E-7s and higher, retirees and civilians. Active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers who are E-6 and below may obtain Family tickets for free.
"This is a $32-valued ticket, per attendee," Ahern said. "A family of five will save more than $150 by attending."
Families also are encouraged to stay after the ballet for seasonal refreshments and a chance to meet the dancers, Ahern said.
Child, Youth and School Services also has joined with the ballet to bring two child-focused performances of "Frosty the Snowman" to post.
The classic children's tale will come to life at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13, in the Solomon Center. Performances will be free and contain a child-friendly message about diversity and anti-bullying.
Tickets are available Parent Central Services.
"Here's a chance for Families with children to expose them to a truly enjoyable and - at the same time - very cultural experience," Ahern said.
FMWR spokeshero Capt. MWR and his social-media sidekick, Dot Com, want to share in the magic of "The Nutcracker," too, and have hidden the Nutcracker Prince at several FMWR locations. Clues to finding him are posted on the Fort Jackson FMWR Facebook page (www.facebook.com/?q=#!/Fort-Jackson-FMWR-162484245597/) and the Dot Com Facebook page (www.facebook.com/?q=#!/Dot-Com-105724876174839/).
Three more Nutcracker Princes will be hidden in FMWR locations - one each week.
"Using the clues provided, our valued patrons are encouraged to deduce which event or facility is holding a Nutcracker," explained Capt. MWR. "When you think you have figured out where it was hidden, ask any customer-service provider if it was hidden there.
"If you are correct, the representative will present you with a Nutcracker ornament. Bring it to Family and MWR Marketing at the Joe E. Mann Center to claim the prize."
The difficulty of finding the Nutcracker and the value of the prizes will increase each week.
• Week 1: Nutcracker tree ornament, collectible Nutcracker and $25 in MWR bucks.
• Week 2: Nutcracker book, collectible Nutcracker, CD of music from "The Nutcracker" and $50 in MWR bucks.
• Week 3: Nutcracker tree ornament, collectible Nutcracker, two "'Nutcracker' Ballet" T-shirts, "The Nutcracker" CD and $75 in MWR bucks.
• Week 4: Columbia City Ballet gift basket valued at $150, which includes two tickets to "Aladdin," ballet souvenirs and $100 in MWR bucks, a Nutcracker tree ornament and collectible Nutcracker.
See complete rules on Facebook and fortjacksonmwr.com. If you have questions, call Theresa O'Hagan at 751-6990.
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