Community members in the Tri-Border region engage with organizations, services and referral information specialists at the Welcome Expo held at USAG Benelux-Brunssum's The HUB, August 14, 2021. (U.S. Army photos by Jessica Abbas, USAG Benelux Public Affairs)

USAG Benelux invites community members to three welcome expos

By the USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office

USAG BENELUX-BRUSSELS, Belgium – Organizations across three locations in the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux footprint are scheduled to host welcome expos from Aug. 13 to 19 to introduce community members to the services available in their areas.

Coming at the end of the summer permanent change of station (PCS) season, both newcomers and long-term Benelux residents can learn about garrison services available to them and tenant units and private organizations that can help them successfully integrate into the USAG Benelux community.

The welcome expo locations are:

  • The Tri-Border community: The 2022 Welcome Expo takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Aug. 13, at the Hub at USAG Benelux – Brunssum, the Netherlands
  • The Chièvres / SHAPE community: The Welcome Expo takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday Aug. 18, in front of the Community Activity Center at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium
  • The Brussels / Sterrebeek community: The Welcome to Brussels Expo takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at the Three Star Recreation Facility at USAG Benelux – Brussels

Marty Notenboom, management assistant for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FWMR) at USAG Benelux – Brunssum, said the event could help bring together different personnel across the Tri-Border community in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

“We have three communities come together with their service providers that are volunteering their time to share information with all the customers and authorized users of the Tri-Border community,” he said.

Jasmin Elder, recreation specialist for special events at Chièvres Air Base, sees the purpose of the upcoming expos as more than informational.

“We’re hoping to create a sense of community and a sense of Family by doing these programs and events,” she said. “This is an opportunity to come out to see what we all have to offer for new or current community members. There may be something you missed before, the last time you were at Chièvres.”

Eileen Catalan, a recreation specialist and community activities coordinator at USAG Benelux - Brussels, likewise believes the welcome expos benefit not only newcomers, but any member of the community.

Catalan added the event provides a networking opportunity for newcomers, organizers and longstanding community members.

The information in this list is evolving, and any updates after the first release will be clearly marked.

USAG Benelux – Brunssum | The Hub | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 13

The staff at USAG Benelux – Brunssum welcomes U.S. and NATO ID cardholders to meet their local FMWR staff, learn about the facilities and programs on offer, and find out about community programs, private organizations, family readiness groups, local clubs and more.

Groups scheduled to attend include:

  • Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
  • JFC Library
  • Army Community Services
  • Family Advocacy Program / Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention
  • Army Substance Abuse Program
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Housing Office, Directorate of Public Works
  • GK Airmen and Family Readiness Center
  • JFC Morale and Welfare
  • JFC Chapel
  • Andrews Federal Credit Union
  • Defense Commissary Agency
  • Army and Air Force Exchange Services
  • NATEX GK
  • AFNorth Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
  • AFNorth Middle School Parent Teacher Association
  • AFNorth Child Find
  • Army Education Center
  • University of Maryland College
  • University of Maryland College NTC
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
  • University of Oklahoma
  • Central Texas College
  • Orcas Swimming Team
  • America-Europe Friendship Association
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • American Legion
  • Tri-Border Walking Club
  • Alliance Players
  • And more...

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Hub, and there will be FMWR gift card and Hub merchandise giveaways.

There will be book coloring and a bounce house for children. There will also be door prizes for other participants.

To learn more, visit the event page on MWR's website.

Chièvres Air Base | In front of Community Activity Center | 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18

The staff at Chièvres Air Base invites U.S. and NATO ID cardholders in the Chièvres and SHAPE community to learn about the programs, services and facilities available to them.

Welcome Expo attendees include:

  • Army Community Services
  • Defense Commissary Agency
  • Directorate of Emergency Services
  • Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
  • Northern Law Center
  • 39th Signal Battalion (Soldier, Family Readiness Group)
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Grandma’s Attic
  • SHAPE IC3 (International Community Connection to Charity)
  • SHAPE Share-a-Meal
  • Army Continuing Education Services
  • Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
  • SHAPE International Library
  • SHAPE Arts and Crafts
  • American Legion
  • And more...

Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will also be a welcome basket drawing. FMWR will continue their Summer Concert Series with a “Jazz, Blues and BBQ” event beginning at 5 p.m.

To learn more, visit the event page on MWR's website.

USAG Benelux – Brussels | Three Star Recreation Facility | 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 19

The staff of the Three Star Recreation Facility invites community members to meet representatives from several garrison, tenant unit and private organizations to learn more about the community and the people who live there.

Scheduled attendees include:

  • The Department of Defense Education Activity – Europe, West District
  • Brussels Army Health Clinic
  • Brussels Army Dental Clinic
  • The Education Center
  • Army Substance Abuse Program
  • Sexual Harassment / Assault Response Program
  • Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
  • Installation Access Control System
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Housing Division, Directorate of Public Works
  • Directorate of Emergency Services
  • The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
  • Religious Support Office
  • NATO Top 3
  • American Legion
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Brussels Consignment Shop
  • Andrews Federal Credit Union
  • United Services Automobile Association
  • Human Resources for Army and Air Force Exchange Services
  • Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church
  • And more...

In addition to an opportunity to meet organizational representatives, community members can enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs. Arts and crafts will be available for Families with children.

To learn more, visit the event page on MWR's website.