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Grand Forks AFB preps for SBE 2014

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.-- --  The Warriors of the North are preparing for Super Bowl Extravaganza 2014, taking place tomorrow, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Base Fitness Center here.

Super Bowl Extravaganza, better known as SBE, is the biggest annual Military Welfare and Morale fundraising event on Grand Forks Air Force Base and the largest event of its kind in the Air Mobility Command.

"Funds raised from the event directly support many of the other welfare and morale events that happen on base throughout the year [such as Winter Bash and Summer Bash]," said Col. Joe Lindsey, 319th Mission Support Group commander.

The unit commanders and several other base officials have proclaimed it loud and clear both via e-mails and public forums, "Tickets are still available!" And for a limited time and a limited number of tickets the price of admission to the major event has been drastically cut to $35 for Airmen in the pay grades of E-4 and below.

The first nine games of bingo will be played for cash prices from $200 to $400. The 10th and final game will be a black-out bingo for the grand prize of a VIP package to Super Bowl XLVIII, which includes game tickets, Ultimate VIP Tailgate passes featuring gourmet food an open bar with live entertainment hosted by a former NFL player or celebrity, round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for the winner and a guest.

"This year's Super Bowl is being held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and I would love to win the grand prize because I'm from Brooklyn, New York, so it would also be a chance to visit with my family back home," said Airman 1st Class Elias Rios, a broadcaster with the 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office. "Going to a Super Bowl is a once in a lifetime experience. I don't see how any true sports fan would pass it up."

For people who are concerned about winning the grand prize and not be able to attend the Super Bowl because of conflicts with their work schedule or other circumstances, the opportunity to win big still exists.

According to event rules, if the initial Super Bowl Trip winner cannot or does not wish to attend the Super Bowl, there will be another game of "Sudden Death Overtime" Bingo that will cost players $20 per card. The initial winner keeps up to the first $5,000 and it would be split 50/50 with the 319th Force Support Squadron the rest of the way. For example: if $8,000 worth of cards are sold, the original trip winner would get $6,500 and the Club would get $1,500.

"So as you can tell, the chance of becoming a big-time winner is almost certain because someone will either win a trip of a lifetime or walk away with thousands of dollars in your pocket," said Capt. James Davern from the 319th FSS. "Either way, it's going to be a very fun time."

For more information about SBE 2014, go to forksupport.com/extras/SBE2014.html.