Club welcomes new families to Peterson Published Sept. 19, 2011 By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With permanent change of station season coming to a close, many families have found themselves at Peterson Air Force Base trying to navigate their way around a new community. To help families new to the area, the Peterson Spouses Club is hosting a Welcome Expo from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in The Club ballroom. "The goal is to have people that are new to Peterson know what services are available for them through the military and in the community," said Farrah Champion, Welcome Expo home-based businesses coordinator. The Welcome Expo will feature local businesses, home-based businesses, colleges, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and other vendors. The event is free to attend and stroller friendly. "It's just an information fair. There's nothing that's going to be sold to (spouses)," Champion said. Different businesses will also be giving away door prizes and goody bags. The Welcome Expo also serves as this year's first membership drive for the spouses club. The spouses club is open to any active duty spouse at Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Active duty military are also welcome to join, but cannot hold an office. Toni Fisher, Peterson Spouses Club president, said every month there is some kind of social activity. "The one we have for October is called Mad Hatter. You're supposed to wear your favorite hat or your funniest hat," she said. The club also has various community service opportunities through the year. In December, the club conducts its annual Cookies for the Troops drive. "We collect cookies, package them and donate them to the Airmen around base. If we have a large amount of people from the base who are overseas, then they get shipped there," Fisher said. In February, the spouses club sponsors Bunco for the Cure. All proceeds go to the local Susan G. Komen Foundation. The club also raises money for the Fisher House, the Airman's Attic and other organizations. "We do run the thrift shop, which is where a majority of our welfare money comes in. It's where the base services that we donate to, the community services and the scholarships come from," Fisher said. Last year, the club had about 90 members, and they are hoping to continue to grow. "It's a great way for people to come out and to meet other (spouses) and not feel quite so isolated when you get to a new place," Champion said. For more information, go to www.petersonspousesclub.com.