JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va –
While titled the Spouses' Club of Fort Eustis, its members aim to serve more than a singular part of the Fort Eustis, Virginia, military family by fostering friendship, service and support.
Through the club's various programs and events, it not only acts as a liaison in helping military families build bonds with one another and find resources, but it also funds base programs and opportunities such as military scholarships, grants and installation morale and wellness activities.
"The club acts as that first place to meet, and find out about where to get support throughout the installation," said Candice Cartwright, SCFE president. "You'll learn where and what the Army Community Service center and the Morale Welfare and Readiness are, and you'll make those connections with other people and not feel so alone."
By gaining membership, which any Service member and family member can do for $20 per active member, participants receive not only community bonds, but access to unlimited SCFE activity clubs, free or reduced fees at special SCFE events, admittance to monthly socials, eligibility for opportunity drawings, member business advertising and event opportunities, volunteer opportunities, eligibility to hold elected or appointed SCFE office, SCFE voting rights, admittance to general membership meetings and eligibility for mini-club leadership positions.
According to Cartwright, the $20 due assists in covering the fees and expenses associated with maintaining a private organization, the monthly costs of hosting themed social events and any philanthropic ventures by the SCFE organization.
Some activities and services members can specifically benefit from include:
· Monthly luncheons on the third Thursday of every month at the Fort Eustis Club, unless otherwise listed. These lunches are also open to all Service members, who can chose to attend the entire program or stop by for a quick visit at the dine-and-dash table.
· The annual Warrior Run, which brings the community together in support of friends and families of fallen Service members.
· The SFCE Whistle Stop Thrift store, which is located at the MWR satellite building, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday and the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Funds raised from the shop go toward military grants and scholarships as well as SFCE support programs and events.
· Child care services
· Activity clubs within the group such as a book club and child play groups
· Monthly events can also be found at http://www.scfeva.com/member-socials.html.
"We try to develop something for everyone and if someone brings something to our attention we work to develop it within our support system," said Cartwright. "There's a little bit of everything for everybody."
For Cartwright, each event or service the club provides has the potential to help military families of all ranks, or whether Fort Eustis is their first or last duty station.
"In the spouses club we're all the same," said Cartwright. "It's a common ground where rank doesn't come into play, and there are no other military barriers. When, you come to the luncheons for instance, and find other spouses with shared challenges and you develop bonds and create a network of support."
For more information on the club's services, membership and volunteer opportunities, visit
http://www.scfeva.com.html.