MOMS Club of Maricopa provides valuable network for at-home moms and kids

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With the population of Maricopa increasing so rapidly and so many new residents having families with young children, the MOMS Club of Maricopa is one of the fastest growing chapters in the southwestern region. Part of MOMS Club International, an organization that boasts more than 2,000 chapters and over 100,000 members, the Maricopa chapter was started in January 2005 and has already grown to over 75 members.

Many residents of Maricopa have moved here from out of state. Too often even those who have moved here from across the Valley have moved away from family and friends. This creates a dilemma for at-home mothers. Without traditional jobs, they frequently lack the opportunity to meet new people and interact with other adults on a day-to-day basis.

Many at-home mothers feel isolated, which makes a challenging job even more stressful. The International MOMS Club was founded as a support group for these at-home mothers, but it also serves as a valuable social tool for their children.

“I feel the MOMS Club has helped to bring our community closer together. It has given us, as moms, an opportunity to meet so many wonderful friends that we may have never met otherwise,” said MOMS Club of Maricopa President Lisa Cannon. “We support each other in so many important ways!” From breakfast and walking clubs to weekly playgroups, in the MOMS Club there is never a shortage of ways to be involved.

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Attending the MOMS Club State Luncheon this month were back row (left to right) Jennifer Chisholm, Lisa Cannon, Lisa Stewart, Robin Simmons and front row (left to right) Jennifer Egelston, Jennifer Stone and Kayci Amos.

Aside from being a network for at-home mothers, the club also provides children with valuable social experiences as well as interesting and fun activities. All daytime activities are kid friendly, so, even during the club’s business meetings, children are welcome.

“Our club has an amazing activities committee that comes up with a new and exciting calendar every month,” stated Michelle White, the MOMS Club of Maricopa Activities Coordinator. “We try to choose activities for a wide range of children’s ages and interests. Taking into account the school calendar, we plan for activities that are appropriate for school-aged children as well as younger kids. The calendar varies, but we usually plan for seven to 10 daytime activities per month geared toward the kids. In addition, we plan family days and monthly ‘moms only’ and ‘dads only’ night-time activities.”

Over the last several months the MOMS Club of Maricopa has planned several interesting activities. Creating their own pizzas at Fat Daddy’s, taking a tour of the local Bank of America branch and visiting places like: the Huhugam Heritage Center, Mesa Southwest Museum, the Hall of Flame and Mother Nature’s Farm have all been new and exciting experiences for children who would often otherwise be at home. Such activities allow kids to learn new things while making new friends.

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Children select toys as a reward for learning about fire safety.

Some activities are just fun, while others are also educational. On a recent trip to the Maricopa Fire Department, firefighters spoke to the children about fire safety. The kids learned about smoke detectors, “stop, drop and roll,” planning exit routes and all the equipment used to fight fires and keep the firefighters safe.

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Firefighter Lonnie Inskeep helps Connor Colasuonno practice “stop, drop and roll.”

To help the little ones understand what firefighters look like and to help them overcome any fear they might have, firefighter Luke Demler, in full gear, came out to meet and shake hands with each child.

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Adam and Taylor Hauck watch as Ethan and Olivia Sewell, with mom Lena, meet firefighter Luke Demler.

After spending time in the firehouse, the kids went outside to explore the fire trucks and had an opportunity to spray the fire hose, while the moms had an opportunity to talk to Fire Chief Bill Kelleher about future fire stations planned for Maricopa.

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Adam Hauck, assisted by firefighter Mark Boys, turns on the water for the fire hose.

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Nicholas Halvorson learns how to handle a fire hose.

Most recently, the MOMS Club visited Baskin Robbins for a behind-the-scenes tour. Owner Paul Koury gave a brief history of the company. The 31 in the company name represents the original idea of having a different flavor for each day of the month.

Koury also explained that the difference between Baskin Robbins and store bought ice cream is all in the percentage of milk fat: the higher the milk fat content, the creamier the ice cream. Moms and kids sampled a range of ice cream treats in order to taste the difference for themselves. Then the group took a tour of the store and learned about things like storage temperatures, dipping cabinets and sundae stations.

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Baskin Robbins owner, Paul Koury, explains that ice cream must be scooped in four seconds or less, or it will freeze to the scoop.

The MOMS Club offers its members a network of women, each with her own unique background and experiences. Working together for the benefit of the community, the mothers not only support each other, but they are continuously involved in fundraising for charity. As a non-profit organization, MOMS Club chapters donate every penny they raise to various groups; the members of the chapters vote on and select these recipients.

“We are always eager to help our community through our many service projects and fundraisers,” Cannon said. “For example, we have donated clothing to our local mission, had a book and school supply drive, raised money for Santa Rosa Elementary’s special needs playground, and there have been countless other ways that our group has benefited the children within our community. I am proud to say that I belong to the MOMS Club of Maricopa!”

Currently, the club is organizing a holiday raffle and is looking for donated items from local businesses. Club members will be selling tickets for the raffle, and all proceeds will be donated to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and to the Angel Tree Network. To donate or to inquire about raffle tickets, email the MOMS Club of Maricopa Fundraising Coordinator, Beth Fabrick.

The MOMS Club of Maricopa is always welcoming new members. For more information, visit their web site at: www.momsclubofmaricopa.org.