Balloons, cupcakes, giveaways and door prizes helped create a festive mood at a special birthday celebration at the Pershing Welcome Center on July 27.
But the honoree wasnât a person, it was an organization, as Army Community Service celebrated its 56th birthday.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Jimenez welcomed partygoers with a hearty âHappy birthdayâ speech and said the ACS office has always been one of the first stops when he and his family reach a new duty station.
âFor 28 years, we have used ACS numerous times in numerous installations,â said Jimenez, adding that the Redstone office provided his family with a map of the Arsenal and information on schools and the recreation options for teenagers. âFor the âgreen suiters,â we want to thank you for all you guys do.â
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The organization that does so much to help Soldiers and their families is now in need of help.
Army Community Service, which houses a number of assistive programs and services, relies on volunteers to keep operations running smoothly.
Jeannie Johnston, ACS division chief, said the most critical need is in âinformation referralâ at the front desk, where volunteers greet visitors at the office on Aerobee Road, and answer the phone.
âYou get to answer a lot of questions about a variety of things,â she said. âItâs definitely a good spot for a people person.â
Ideally, ACS will have two volunteers at the front desk during every shift, typically either four hours in the morning or four hours in the afternoon, but days and hours are flexible.
Summer is approaching quickly, and that means that hundreds of Soldiers are preparing for a permanent change of station, or PCS, move.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Jimenez said Redstone Arsenal is expecting 50-60 new Soldiers this year, including several that were unable to take new assignments in 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. These Soldiers will fill positions across the installation, from Fox Army Health Center to the many Army tenant organizations.
The Garrison offers several resources for Soldiers PCSing into the area. First, Jiminez said, each Soldier will receive a sponsor, often the person whose position they will be filling when they arrive.