FORT RUCKER Ala. -- With Valentine's Day right around the corner, many people have love on their minds. Family Advocacy Program staff intends to take advantage of this focus by incorporating relationship education into a popular game.
FAP staff hosts the first Healthy Relationships Bingo Brown Bag Lunch event Feb. 11 at the Chapel of Wings Annex from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants should bring their own meals to munch on while playing free, relationship-themed bingo games. Event staff encourages men and women in any relationship status to attend and said there is something for everyone to learn about present or future relationships.
"Healthy relationship building is part of FAP's mission," said Marion Cornish, FAP training specialist. "We want to do something fun and different so the couples and individuals will learn in fun ways."
Topics discussed include things to look for in healthy companionship, relationship "red and green flags," obstacles and skills to building positive bonds.
Each topic corresponds with one of the letters on bingo cards and short phrases relating to the topics replace the traditional numerals, Cornish noted.
While healthy relationships are important any time of the year, mid-February is when the game of love is played the hardest, due to the popular cupid-themed holiday, she said.
Military members especially have strained situations sometimes with demanding work schedules and frequent deployments. This requires special focus to nurture their spouses and significant others, said Cornish. She said bingo players will take home positive resources to accomplish these goals.
"Relationships are an ongoing process. (They are) living, breathing things. We have to work on them," she said.
Sgt. 1st Class Luther Bynum, U.S. Army Forces Command career counselor, and his wife, Tina, plan to attend next week's event. The couple has been married 14 years, and both said they feel anyone who attends will benefit.
"It raises awareness and it shows relationship issues," Luther said.
"I think you can learn a lot about the person (you're with) by going through this event with them," said Tina.
Because the event is game-based, difficult topics - including positive and negative relationship characteristics and relationships skills - are dealt with in non-threatening ways, which Cornish hopes will make attendees more receptive to the information.
Participants must register by Wednesday by calling 255-9647.
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