FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 29, 2015) -- The Army Community Services held a multi-themed birthday July 24 to celebrate serving the military and their Families for 50 years.
"Our goal was to set up a system to where we could encourage (military) Families to become self-sufficient and thrive in the Army lifestyle," said Nicole Heller, Mobilization and Deployment specialist.
While the actual birthday falls on July 25, Heller said the celebration was held at a time when people could easily attend. For the celebration, each program within ACS chose a different fairy tale or children's book theme for their booth and offered prizes, games, informational material and treats to visiting patrons.
"It's just kind of our way to get people to do something fun and learn about ACS programs if they haven't used ACS before, or if they've only used one program at ACS to kind of educate them about the rest of them," said Heller. "And, of course, to celebrate (the program) turning 50."
Lt. Col. Emma Marie Baird, original ACS officer for the Army, started ACS on July 25, 1965. Baird believed that the Army should do something for the Families of deploying Soldiers. ACS centers were established on every Army installation over the next five years. Today, Dennis Menard, ACS director, said approximately 98 ACS centers exist worldwide.
Tammy Spates, a military wife, said her Family would be getting out of the military soon, due to retirement, and said ACS was great for those new to the community, and for those getting out.
The different services with tables set up, offered through ACS, included Army Emergency Relief; the Family Advocacy Program; the Exceptional Family Member Program; Mobilization, Deployment and SSO; the Relocation Readiness Program; the Financial Readiness Program; Army Family Team Building and Army Family Action Plan; Army Volunteer Corps; and Information, Referral and Follow-Up.
"When someone comes to ACS, no matter what the issue is or difficulty or services they're requiring, we always ensure that they get that service at Fort Benning," Menard said. "We can mostly handle all the questions, all the services they request within this ACS center."
Menard said for those who need more assistance than ACS can provide, they are referred to a place who can help them.
"We never say 'no,' we give them full services," Menard said. "If they arrive here, they'll leave here satisfied that they got their service need met."
Heller said summertime can be peak permanent change of station season, so the celebration was an optimum time to spread word about the different programs offered through ACS.
"Any problem that comes up in your life, there is a resources here to help you with it," said Megan Nunez, Financial Readiness specialist and military spouse. "You can have all of the information you need right at your fingertips here."
Heller said walk-in clients are welcome in all programs within ACS and a newcomer's orientation is offered every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. She said all Families and children are welcome, as well as single Soldiers.
For more information on ACS and the services offered, visit www.benningmwr.com/acs.
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