A recent returnee from a deployment to Kuwait, Master Sgt. Tonya Jefferson-Clemmons wanted to see what was new in the area since she was last at Fort Gordon.

She was among the soldiers and civilians who attended the Sept. 4 Community Expo at Fort Gordon's Gordon Club.

"Young soldiers are so focused on Fort Gordon and what's going on here. This brings them the community," she said.

About 120 vendors from Augusta, Fort Gordon and surrounding areas set up informational tables at the event to let people know what's happening and what businesses and services are available.

"We do this every year right after Labor Day," said Thom Tuckey, of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon, who helps coordinate the event. "Our target audience is new soldiers and families."

Summer typically brings an influx of new arrivals to the post.

The expo was separated into several segments. One part of the space offered booths from area arts groups and attractions.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council had information on the upcoming Westobou Festival and Arts in the Heart of Augusta. The Augusta Museum of History, Columbia County and the Morris Museum of Art had information booths.

One row of booths was a college alley, according to Mr. Tuckey. Fort Gordon organizations were close to one another as well.

The Fort Gordon Service Club, Fisher House, Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Signal Corps Museum were among the Fort Gordon agencies on hand.

Members of the Fort Gordon Service Club handed out seed packets with the organization's theme for the year, Come Grow With Us.

"We started doing this about three years ago because people hadn't heard of us," said Eva Proudfit, the club president.

A number of area businesses also took part. Among them were University Hospital, Comcast, H&R Block and Sam's Club.