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The following news briefs are provided to help keep our community informed about what’s happening on our U.S. Army Garrison Japan installations.

To submit your information for publication, email full details (who, what, when, where, why and how, along with contact information) to usag.japan@gmail.com.

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Washi Paper Craft Class

Army Community Service, in conjunction with the Arts and Crafts Center, will host a washi paper craft class once per month, from 1 to 3 p.m. at ACS, Bldg. 402, through June. The dates are as follows:

- April 28 (Deadline to register is April 22)

- May 26 (Deadline to register is May 20)

- June 30 (Deadline to register is June 17)

There is a limit of six people per class. To register or for more information, call 263-5127 or 263-4357, or email sari.sugai2.ln@army.mil.

Child and Youth Services Seeking Employees

Looking for a rewarding job with great salary and benefits, where you know you're making a difference in today's youth and children? That opportunity is here! Start your career with Army MWR, Child & Youth Services. Check out the opportunities available and apply now by accessing this link: ArmyMWR.com/CYSCareers.

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief was created to alleviate financial distress as an incident to service. Financial assistance is available to active duty, retired and eligible reserve component Soldiers.

For 80 years, AER has been the conduit through which Soldiers provide financial support to their brothers and sisters in arms.

Since 1942, AER has supported 4 million Soldiers with nearly $2 billion in financial assistance, including $1 billion since 9/11.

It’s not too late to donate to this year’s campaign.

Reach out to your unit AER representative or chain-of-command to find out how to donate by this year’s May 15 deadline.

Zama International Associating Rice-Planting Event

The Zama International Association and Kizuna International are hosting a free rice-planting event May 29 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Iriya Pool, a short drive from Camp Zama.

The capacity for this event is 50 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This event is intended for non-Japanese nationals living or working in Zama City.

Recommended attire is shorts and T-shirts, and it is recommended to bring towels, hats, face masks, flip flops, rain coats (for rainy weather), and something to drink.

**How to Apply**

- Visit the Office of Zama International Association (Address: 2-2887-2 Zama, Zama City) Office hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

- Or call the office at 046-251-9000

- Or email them at z.i.a.040501@kdr.biglobe.ne.jp.

 Army Recruiting Office Opens on Camp Zama

An Army recruiting office recently reopened on Camp Zama to better support potential recruits on mainland Japan following a decade-long hiatus. Anyone interested can speak to recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Jason Blowers. Blowers can be reached by email at jason.e.blowers.mil@army.mil. His temporary office is located in Building 102, Room M134. A permanent office is expected to open near the Camp Zama laundromat this summer.

Free COVID-19 Home-Test Kits Available at MEDDAC-Japan

MEDDAC-Japan is now offering free COVID-19 home-test kits. This is available only to our empaneled TRICARE beneficiaries and due to current supply we are limited to one kit per ID cardholder. You are able to pick up your home-test kits at our COVID testing location (blue and white tent in the rear of the clinic). There will be two separate lines, one for testing and one for home-kit pick up. Please ensure that you are in the appropriate line. If you do not have an ID card, you will not be issued a kit or tested. Children under the age of 10 can be validated with a parent’s ID card.

Guidance for Disposing COVID-19 Self-Test Kits

If you use a COVID-19 self-test kit at home, on- or off-post, please follow these directions for disposing of the kits following use. Please follow the same directions for both positive and negative test results.

• Kits with needles cannot be disposed of at garbage collection points. Those kits must be returned to the store where you purchased them.

• After use, place the kit in a plastic bag, tie it tightly to prevent direct contact with the kit, write the date on the outside of the bag, and store it for four days.

• Only the items that are physically used during testing (test vials, swabs, gloves, test strips etc.) need to go through this process, the rest of the test kit packaging, test instructions and other packaging within the kits go into normal trash using standard processes.

• If the test kit comes in contact with the outside of the plastic bag, double up the bag.

• Wash your hands thoroughly under running water with soap after placing the waste in the plastic bag.

• After four days have passed, you can place the bag containing the test kit with other garbage as regular garbage and put it out on the designated collection day.

Camp Zama Pet Care Center Maintenance/Construction

The Camp Zama Pet Care Center will undergo a facility maintenance and construction project through May 2022. During this time, dog boarding will be limited. Dog grooming services, and cat boarding, will remain unaffected. Call the center at 263-5915 (046-407-5915) for more information.

Seeking Patches for Community Quilt

During the Month of Military Family in November 2022, the Camp Zama Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program, in conjunction with community members, will unveil a community quilt in an effort to foster cohesion and boost morale for the Soldiers and families in the Camp Zama community.

The Quilt Project Team would like to ask you to represent your organization by providing a 6-inch-by-6-inch patch to add to the quilt.

Please pass this information to your employees, Soldier and Family Readiness Groups, and leaders of your organization.

Only one 6-inch-by-6-inch patch per organization or unit will be added to the quilt.

Patches can be made from unit or organization T-shirts, unit patches or old guidons, or created from scratch. The deadline to turn in your patch is June 10.

If you or your unit wants to participate, call 263-8091 or email lucinda.f.ward.civ@army.mil by March 31 for more information.

The point of contact will be able to provide more information about patch-making classes available in April and May, and can assist in creating a patch with unit representatives.

COVID Testing

MEDDAC-Japan officials provide COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or official travel.

* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.

Thursday

* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or officials travel.

* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.

NOTE: If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you must have an appointment to be tested. Call DSN 263-4175 (046-407-4175) to make an appointment.

Killer Katanas Roller Derby Team Now Recruiting

The Killer Katanas roller derby team is recruiting community members who are looking for a unique and action-packed activity. Women ages 18 and up at any skill level, as well as men interested in becoming officials, can join the practices, which are currently held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Arnn Elementary School on the Sagamihara Family Housing Area. To join a practice or for more information, readers can email the team at zamakillerkatanas@gmail.com.

No-Drone Zone

Please be reminded that no drone flights are allowed on U.S. Army Garrison facilities. That includes toy drones.

Authorized PT Attire

In accordance with the U.S. Army Japan Standards Book, APFUs and OCPs are the only physical training authorized for Soldiers to wear in the Yano Fitness Center from 6 to 8 a.m. Please direct any questions to your chain of command.