FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Fort Jackson Jubilee took place Tuesday afternoon at the Solomon Center, welcoming new arrivals to Fort Jackson with educational displays about goods and services available in the community.
The annual event was designed to provide Soldiers, family members, civilians and retirees the opportunity to learn about the opportunities available to them, both on- and off-post.
"We're looking to bring people out, introduce them to the community and get them to know other people," said Elizabeth Maher, Army Community Services outreach coordinator. "We have Family Readiness Groups from the major brigades, and their whole reason for being here is to reach out to people and bring them into the unit Family Readiness Groups."
Dozens of commercial vendors were present to put their products and services on display. Vendors included restaurants, health, beauty and wellness providers, schools and colleges, financial institutions, and tourism venues.
"We have all of our battalions set up for new families and current families to come and see what we have available and to let them know about our Family Readiness Group meetings and everything we have going on in the brigade," said Christine Julius, family readiness adviser for the 193rd Infantry Brigade. "The jubilee was scheduled to take advantage of a time of the year that sees a great number of Soldiers and families arriving at Fort Jackson, said Rachel McLamb, family readiness adviser for the 193rd Brigade.
"Summer is a big turnover for the Army, so we've had a lot of new people come into Fort Jackson," she said. "The jubilee is a perfect opportunity for them to find out what's available in the community, and the community of Columbia."
Among the businesses this year was a company that rents furniture for home and business use.
"We offer residential and office furniture for people who have a temporary need," said Ron Steinbrink, district general manager for the company. "What we're looking at here on Fort Jackson is when they bring people in for a training (operation) and will be here for six months. This is our first (jubilee). I provided 700 bags for anyone who walks in."
Social Sharing