MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More than 50 organizations will gather at Headquarters Support Battalion’s Infopalooza at the Marston Pavilion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will offer a wide range of resources, from base activities, such as youth sports and the Exceptional Family Member Program, to outside resources such as the Onslow County Career Center and the USO of North Carolina Jacksonville Center.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn about what’s on the base and what’s available to (members of the HQSPT Bn. community),” said Lt. Col. Harry L. Gardner, the commanding officer of HQSPT Bn. “(Participants) can gain a better understanding of what’s available.”
The resources available can help participants enrich themselves, Gardner added.
“It will help them better their time here with the battalion and their time on Camp Lejeune,” said Gardner. “They can learn how to participate in events on the base and gain an understanding on things such as how the Provost Marshal’s Office works, educational opportunities on base and what is available to each and every one of them. It just makes their quality of life here that much better.”
The groups providing information include Marine Corps Community Services resources such as personal finance and education assistance and Semper Fit as well as other services such as Marine For Life, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Military One Source.
“We want to make it a one-stop-shop so you can get a lot done without going all over base or going out to town,” said Rhonda Tomlinson, the family readiness officer with HQSPT Bn. “You can just go to one place and have some fun while you’re there.”
There will also be interactive activities available to have fun and promote safety, such as an anti-drunk driving program where participants can drive on a course using goggles that simulate drunk driving, as well as another station where participants can practice escaping from a smoke-filled room, to learn how to plan for fires.
“I learned a lot,” said Tammy Delatorre, a secretary with HQSPT Bn., who participated in last year’s Infopalooza. “I didn’t realize there were so many organizations available to support military members. Everybody should go and check it out, it’s really worth it.”
Infopalooza has resources available for everybody, whether they are new to the battalion, transitioning to a new place or simply curious about what’s available.
For more information, call 451-8578, or email Rhonda.tomlinson@usmc.mil.
Find us on Google + (http://gplus.to/camp.lejeune)
Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/camp_lejeune)
Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/camp.lejeune)