By Justin Creech
Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is looking for volunteers to help run Oktoberfest.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and do not have to be an active-duty service member.
Those that do volunteer are encouraged to make themselves available for at least a two hour shift, though four and six hour shifts are preferred. The deadline to volunteer is Sept. 22.
“It takes a lot of staff to make this event go,” said Ryan Moran, Community Center director. “We can take anybody, it doesn’t have to be a six hour shift, but it does have to be at least two hours. If they have to do less than two hours we will still welcome them to come, but we can’t guarantee we will have a position for them because we need to make sure those positions are staffed for a good period of time.”
Workers are needed for the vendor gate, handicap parking, road guards and individuals to hand out coupons. All volunteers will receive an event staff t-shirt, and those who volunteer for at least a four hour shift will receive a free meal ticket.
Volunteers will be taken on a first come first serve basis. Those that volunteer will receive an e-mail from DFMWR with the dates and times of shifts that are available.
“The week of the event, we are going to send out a mass e-mail to all those that have signed up with us with a list with their dates and times of shifts,” he said.
Moran also recommended that people do not volunteer the day of the event as the positions left open will be filled by a DFMWR employee.
To volunteer for Oktoberfest contact Ryan Moran at Ryan.m. moran.nas@mail.mil
Retiree Appreciation Day provides updates to retirement rights, benefits Fort Belvoir Public Affairs
The U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Belvoir, hosts the annual Retiree Appreciation Day Sept. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Barden Education Center, Bldg. 1017.
The RAD is intended to salute retired Soldiers and Family members and to provide them with news and information about current developments and plans around post.
The event is also an opportunity for former servicemembers to receive updates regarding changes to their retirement rights, benefits and privileges.
A primary goal of the event is to promote communication and goodwill between the retired and active duty communities.
Col. John Strycula, Fort Belvoir Garrison commander, and Col. Susan Annicelli, Dewitt Health Care commander, will speak at the gathering.
An important aspect of the RAD will be the Retiree Health Fair, hosted by the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Department of Public Health.
Army Public Health nurses will offer cholesterol and blood pressure testing, and pharmacists will be available to review medications, assist with medications lists and answer medication questions (patients who are planning to utilize this service should bring with them all the medications they are taking, including prescription medicines, over the counter items and herbal supplements).
There will also be an on-site flu vaccination clinic.
The health fair program is based on a survey conducted by the FBCH Public Health Nurses. During the month of July, 85 military retirees and surviving or retired spouses completed the survey and the results have been helpful in planning the event.
The survey revealed four health-related subjects to be of top priority to the participants: playing an active role in healthcare management, how to stay well, age-related medication issues (over 90 percent indicated being on daily medications), and fitness and exercise. Experts will be speaking on these and other subjects during the fair.
RAD attendees will also have opportunities to renew ID cards and post decals with the proper paperwork, visit exhibits and have lunch at the Fort Belvoir Dining Facility.
More information is available by calling (703) 805-3960/8182.
