It’s never easy settling into a new community.
That’s why, if you’ve recently arrived to the Stuttgart military community, the C.A.R.E. Fair should be on your list of things to do.
The U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Community Activities, Registration and Education Fair, set for Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Panzer Kaserne, offers community members the opportunity to learn about the various programs and services available to them.
More than 80 agencies and organizations will be represented, from the German American Community Choir to Child, Youth and School Services, according to Judy Drews, the Outreach Services program coordinator for Army Community Service.
Newcomers can feel “absolutely lost” during a transition to a new community, said Drews.
“You don’t know where to go or what the community offers,” she said.
The C.A.R.E. Fair brings dozens of military and civilian organizations together in one convenient location to help community members get acclimated. “It’s one-stop shopping to find out everything you need to know about living here,” Drews said.
The idea is to give agencies and organizations the chance “to tell all about their services and how they can help your family,” Drews said.
“Whether you’ve been around the area for a long time or this is your first assignment, [the C.A.R.E. Fair] is going to be good for you,” she said.
Visitors to the fair will be able to learn about employment and volunteer opportunities through ACS, how to save money with the Utility Tax Avoidance Program, and leisure options such as local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the German/American Kontakt Club and the Patch Ski Club.
They can also visit the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Family Day inside the Panzer Main Exchange, which will include a fashion show, karoake and children’s activities.
They may also pick up a few needed household items.
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation will host a tailgate flea market in conjunction with the C.A.R.E. Fair from noon to 4 p.m. on Panzer Kaserne.
The C.A.R.E. Fair will be held in a fest tent in the AAFES shopping mall parking lot on Panzer Kaserne.
For more information on the fair, call Army Community Service at 431-3362/civ. 07031-15-3362. For details on participating in the flea market, call Martha Povich at 430-2110/civ. 0174-248-9940.