Story and photo by Derek Gean
Community editor
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More than 80 agencies were on hand to share more about the services they offer with the Fort Leonard Wood community Friday at the Fort Leonard Wood Community Expo at Nutter Field House.

More than 250 community members visited the Army Community Service sponsored event, learning more about local resources and volunteer opportunities.

“The community expo was superb,” said Rhonda Hutsell, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator.

“This one-stop community expo offered a variety of agencies  (the chance) to showcase their program, come out to meet-and-greet military personnel, new arriving Families, and offer the Families an opportunity to learn about the community and meet others who are active individuals in the community,” she said.

“(We wanted) to give incoming military personnel and Families just arriving to the installation a chance to get familiar with the resources that are on the installation and in the surrounding areas. It also gave them a chance to register for upcoming programs, events and sports programs on and off the installation.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Faulk, Garrison Command, kicked off the event by welcoming the non-profit agencies to the installation and thanking them for their support.

Patricia Mulhall was at the expo to reach out to spouses on behalf of the Family Readiness Support Assistants.

“A lot of people know their FRSAs through e-mail and through Facebook perhaps, but by being out here, we get to actually communicate directly with those spouses we support, so it is good for us to be here. Also, it gives us an opportunity when we refer, we can actually refer to the other organizations that are here at the expo,” she said.

The expo also gave those in a position of leadership the opportunity to gather information for those they represent. “I always like to get information for my spouses and their Families as much as I can to spread the word of information that is around the community and on post,” said Mara Tate, Family Readiness Group leader and participant. “A lot of people are afraid to reach out for themselves so I feel like it is my duty to do that for them.”

Hutsell said she hoped people were able to connect, and find volunteer opportunities.

“Many individuals are seeking volunteer opportunities and hoping to get leads on jobs in the area, while others are getting acquainted with what the surrounding community has to offer.”

She said without the support of community organizations, events like the expo would not be possible.

“I would like to express my appreciations and ‘thank you’ to all the organizations/agencies who came out and supported the community expo, and to all the individuals who walked through and supported the event. You are truly the people who made the community expo great,” she said.