NCR Round Up connects community interests

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mariah Haddenham
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  Military members and their families gathered at the Community Commons on Joint Base Andrews, Md., for the National Capital Region Round Up, April 24.

The NCR Round Up aimed to help military members and dependents connect with others in the community who share similar hobbies.

"We wanted to help bring people together via their interests," said Tech. Sgt. Karen Blackburn, 11th Wing Staff Agency emergency action controller and Social Support Community Action Plan Committee member. "This is part of our effort to improve social connectedness on base and in the surrounding community."

The event included food, entertainment and booths set up by church groups, clubs and special interest groups.

More than 200 signup sheets were present for a wide variety of interests ranging from fitness and outdoor activities to arts and crafts. Once a participant signed up, they became part of an email chain connecting them with a community of people with the same interests.

"I appreciated this event because everything was in one place at one time," said Krista Leavens, 811th Security Forces Squadron key spouse. "They made it so easy and convenient for myself and others to just pick up a pen, write down an email address, and have events and information about my interests emailed to myself and others who share my interests."

More than 1,800 people signed up for more than 190 different hobbies, interests or groups.

"We would love to make this an annual event and hope that it really adds to the camaraderie and community here at Andrews and the local area," Blackburn said.

For more information on activities available to JBA members, keep an eye on the Joint Base Andrews Facebook page.