It’s never easy settling into a new community. Hillary Carter, an Army spouse who arrived in Stuttgart in early July with husband Kevin and 2-year-old son Rigby, survived her first overseas permanent change of station move and now is in the process of “starting over” in a new environment.
“It’s overwhelming, especially because we’re in a foreign country,” Carter said. “It’s been hard for me to get out and meet people,” said the stay-at-home mom.
Newcomers to the Stuttgart military community such as Carter will have a chance to learn about the myriad of community resources that can make the transition easier during U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s C.A.R.E. Fair on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Exchange shopping center on Panzer Kaserne.
Representatives from more than 50 installation directorates, service organizations and special interest groups will be on hand at the Community Activities, Registration and Education Fair.
“The C.A.R.E. Fair offers community members the opportunity to connect with one another, our community resources and organizations, share information, and be better prepared for life in Stuttgart,” said Martha Povich, the events manager for USAG Stuttgart Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
“It will help newcomers transition more easily into the best community in all of Installation Management Command Europe and help them discover who makes up the fabric of what makes Stuttgart so great,” Povich said.
In a single location, community members can sign up their children for Scouting programs, the Sitzmarkers Ski and Snowboard Club, the Piranhas swim team, and enroll them in the Exchange School Meal Program.
Other groups, such as the Stuttgart Community Spouses Club, Mothers of Preschoolers, and Women, Infants and Children Overseas will also participate.
Visitors to the fair will be able to learn about employment, volunteer and educational opportunities, religious services, and leisure and recreation activities. Special emphasis is put on resiliency building programs for people of all ages.
“Taking care of families, especially new families coming into the community, is a priority for the garrison. The C.A.R.E. Fair not only helps ready these families for life in Stuttgart and in a foreign country, but also provides them a one-stop opportunity for our resiliency-building programs. To me this is what makes the C.A.R.E. Fair so powerful and wonderful,” said Greg Holzinger, the USAG Stuttgart Family and MWR director.
In addition, newcomers may discover some needed household items at the Family and MWR-hosted flea market that will be held during the same time period on the sidewalk outside of the Exchange. More than 40 families will participate.
C.A.R.E. Fair Participants
AAFES Exchange School Meal Program sign ups
German-American Womens Club
Stuttgart Harley Davidson Club
United Service Organizations
American Red Cross
Association of the U.S. Army
Army Recruiting
Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Service
Service Credit Union
Community Bank
Stuttgart Community Spouses Club
Stuttgart German American Wandering Club
Black Forest Quilters Club
Blue Star Families
Central Texas College
University of Maryland
University of Oklahoma
Boy and Girl Scouts
Stuttgart Dental Clinic
Stuttgart Military Community Eishockey Club
Stuttgart Piranhas
Stuttgart Select Soccer
Thursday Morning Women’s Bowling League
Patch Ski Club
Sitzmarkers Ski and Snowboard Club
VFW Post 10810
Knights of Columbus
Military Associated Stuttgart Homeschoolers
Böblingen Elementary School PTA
Patch Elementary School PTA
RB Elementary/ Middle School PTSA
Patch High School PTO
Patch High School Music Boosters
Stuttgart Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
Non-Appropriated Human Resources Office
Stuttgart Veterinary Clinic
Stuttgart Army Health Clinic
• Managed Care/Tricare
• Community Health Nurse
• Stuttgart Wellness Center
• Behavioral Health consultant
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart
• Housing Office
• Environmental Office
• Fire Department
• Army Community Service
– Women Infants and Children Overseas
– Employment Readiness
– SHARP
• Safety Office
• Army Substance Abuse Program
• Retiree Support Center
• Family and MWR
– Arts and Crafts
– Entertainment
– Outdoor Recreation
– Sports and Fitness
– Youth and School Services
– VAT/UTAP
– BOSS
• Religious Support Operations
• Chaplain’s Office
– Protestant Women of the Chapel
– Catholic Women of the Chapel
– Mothers of Preschoolers
– Youth Ministries
– Catholic Religious Education
