Club 7 – Where community comes together

by Kimberly Parker
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Kimberly Parker  Airman 1st Class Macey Walker, 786th Force Support Squadron evaluations tech, helps set up dinner, which was provided by the Chief’s Group, July 25 at Club 7 on Ramstein. Different organizations rotate cooking dinner for Club 7 every Friday evening.
Photo by Kimberly Parker
Airman 1st Class Macey Walker, 786th Force Support Squadron evaluations tech, helps set up dinner, which was provided by the Chief’s Group, July 25 at Club 7 on Ramstein. Different organizations rotate cooking dinner for Club 7 every Friday evening.

Having a place to call home is important when transitioning into a new assignment and arguably even more important when transitioning into an overseas assignment. Many refer to Club 7 as their “home away from home.”

Besides being greeted with a smiling face, the facility within Bldg. 2410 features comfy couches, gaming systems, large flat screen TVs and fast WiFi. It provides Airmen a friendly and alcohol-free space to unwind and meet new people.

“It’s like a big living room,” said Rick Deppe, Airman Ministries Center Coordinator. “ People come in to relax, play games and socialize.”

Club 7 offers games, video games, movies, snacks, home cooked meals on Friday nights and even trips at little or sometimes no cost to Airmen.

“Some of our planned programs include bowling nights, dinner and movie nights, bible study and early opening from noon to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays,” said Terry Goodwin, Club 7 manager.

For Airman 1st Class Luis Castro, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply journeyman, Club 7 is a place to get away after work and to meet new friends.

Photo by Kimberly Parker  Airman 1st Class Luis Castro, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply journeyman, uses free WiFi at Club 7 to surf the web on July 25. Club 7 offers games, video games, movies, snacks and home cooked meals on Friday nights.
Photo by Kimberly Parker
Airman 1st Class Luis Castro, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply journeyman, uses free WiFi at Club 7 to surf the web on July 25. Club 7 offers games, video games, movies, snacks and home cooked meals on Friday nights.

“I’ve been here for about a month and this has been a great place to make friends and network,” he said.

Whether it is volunteering to help run Club 7 or connecting Airmen with other community volunteer opportunities, the idea is to bring the community together and to get people involved.

Master Sgt. Ryan Armes, 603rd Air and Space Operations Center Resource Advisor, has been a mentor for Airmen, which has carried over to his volunteer work at Club 7.

“As a young Airman I didn’t have a place like this, it’s a no-pressure environment and I really enjoy interacting with the Airmen and just being here if they need someone to talk to,” Armes said.

Club 7 opened their doors in 2008 and serves approximately 40 Airmen a month. Now, Club 7 is considered a home away from home to approximately 1,500 service members from across Ramstein and Kapaun Air Station.

While Club 7 is an extension of the Chaplain Corps, you do not have to be religious to use the facility.

“We put no pressure on people to conform to a religion,” Deppe said. “It doesn’t matter what faith you are or if you don’t have a certain faith at all, we are here to support the community. The only time religion enters the conversation is if it is initiated by an Airman.”

For more information call commercial 06371-47-5753 or 480-5753 or connect on Facebook by searching Ramstein Club 7.