Article Display

Hearts Apart provides Glamour Shots for valentines

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center put on a Hearts Apart event called Glamour Shots, here, Jan. 24.

The purpose of the event was to help the spouses and children of deployed Airmen connect with their loved ones on Valentine's Day.

"Hearts Apart is a program designed to keep the deployed and remote tour spouses, as well as their children, entertained and involved with the base community and installation, so they don't feel left out when their loved ones are away serving our nation," said Tech. Sgt. Evan Singleton, A&FRC readiness NCO and host and coordinator of Hearts Apart.

Airmen and local businesses volunteered to help with the event so the spouses and children could send a picture overseas for Valentine's Day.

"The reasoning behind this event is to have the spouses who are left behind during a deployment have something extra to send off to their loved ones at their deployed location, to let them know that their Valentines back here in the USA are still here waiting on their return, miss them and love them dearly," said Singleton.

In addition, more goes into the event than someone taking a picture. The goal is to make the families look dazzling and create a fun-filled night for both children and mothers.

"The majority of [what goes on] behind the scenes that most people don't get to see is locating volunteers and outside agencies to help with hair and make-up, and several massage therapists to aid in the time that spouses have to wait while others are in line getting glamorized by our spa personnel," said Singleton.

While volunteers came together to make the experience for the mothers enjoyable and relaxing, their work didn't just include doing hair and make-up. Volunteers also watched the children to give their mothers a bit of a break, while having the gratification of doing something for their spouses overseas.

"The children had lots of fun and the spouses were able to get all 'glamourized' and get pictures to send to their deployed spouse," said Marcella Hengehold, 9th Air Force knowledge operations manager, and volunteer for the event.

Last year, 31 spouses and 63 children participated in the event. This year 25 spouses had their picture taken at the event.

"The glamour shots have been done annually for a few years and it has been such a success that we have decided to make it an annual Hearts Apart event," said Singleton.

Furthermore, Hearts Apart provides even more events including: Ready for Reunion, Saturday at the Park, Back to School Pool Party, Effective Communication (True Colors), Spouse Crosstalk, Kids Movie and Parents Spa Night, and the Christmas Photo Studio.

All events for Hearts Apart are provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"This is definitely a great event and I hope they continue to do it year after year," said Hengehold.

Without a doubt, these events help the deployed Airmen's families with the count-down of their loved ones return, and is something for them to look forward to each month where they can just relax and have fun, said Singleton.

To find out more about Hearts Apart, call the A&FRC: (803) 895-1253.