Most who join the MOMS club are seeking companionship for themselves, friendships for their children, support in motherhood or a way to stay socially active in their community. But whatever the case may be, the majority of members refer to the club as a “sanity saver” and they have never looked back.
Moms offering moms support is what the Turlock MOMS club is all about—and it’s what the name MOMS stands for.
“I joined because I wanted my kids to socialize with kids their age,” said Andrea Craddock, president of Turlock MOMS club – East. “You make friendships and you share your struggles and triumphs of motherhood. If I didn’t have MOMS club calendars and activities, I would go insane.”
The Turlock MOMS Club started 10 years ago in September with just a few members. It was organized by founder Janna Sivils, who was tired of driving to Modesto to get mothering support.
Now the club is split into a Turlock MOMS club – West and a Turlock MOMS club – East, to keep an intimate personal feel in both clubs. The West club is for moms who live west of Geer Road and Golden State Boulevard or in Hilmar, Delhi and the surrounding areas. The East club is for moms who live east of Geer Road and Golden State Boulevard or in Denair and the surrounding areas.
Each club ranges from 29 to 35 members. They have had members involved who are newly pregnant or in the process of adoption, as well as veteran moms with six children.
“If someone raises a child full time, they are eligible to join,” Sivils said.
Members of the MOMS club get to play an active role in monthly business meetings, weekly play groups, park days, service projects, helping hands and the most looked forward to activity — moms’ night out.
There are also internal committees such as the book club, the breakfast club, fitness group, kids’ crafts, lunch bunch and memory makers for mothers to participate in.
It is a good balance of activities for the kids and for the moms, said Jackie Hollcraft, administrative vice president for the Turlock MOMS club – East and state coordinator for California.
There are activities where the kids can play together and the moms can hang out and support each other, she said.
“We are able to talk to each other about situations and seek support from each other,” said Carrie Huiskens, membership vice president for Turlock MOMS club – West. “Now this is like family. Some girls in the group I would consider my sisters.”
Along the lines of support, Turlock MOMS club also participates in a helping hands service project. This is where members can help other members out with meals, babysitting and errands when one needs the help due to pregnancy, an illness, or any other type of emergency.
Not only do the Turlock moms help out each other, they find ways to give back to the community as well. For the past couple of months, they have been participating in one service project a month.
One month they collected school supplies that they donated to Wakefield Elementary School. They are currently collecting laundry soap to donate to the Children’s Crisis Center, Hollcraft said.
The support, friendship and social life that the MOMS club offers are what have helped these local moms get by for the past 10 years.
And in celebration, both Turlock MOMS clubs will hold an event at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30 at Crane Park to reminisce, share memories and, hopefully, add new members to their clubs.
Past members and current members are welcome, as well as those interested in joining the Turlock MOMS club.
There will be food available, games for the kids, displays and scrapbooks up for viewing.
“It will be a big party,” Hollcraft said.
If interested in attending the 10-year celebration party or joining the Turlock MOMS club, contact the Turlock West Chapter at momsclubturlockwest@hotmail.com or the Turlock East Chapter at turlockmoms@att.net.
To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.
