MOM is the word for a networking and support group that is on its way to becoming active again.
Collectively, the members are known simply as MOMS Club of Manteca and Lathrop.
“We are a non-profit nationwide organization, with one chapter pretty much in every town,” said Amy Hart who is trying to revive the local chapter which has gone inactive the last few months.
“We used to have quite a bit of members, a lot more members. Now, there are only five active members. There used to be 20 to 30 members that come to the meetings,” said the young Lathrop mother who has stepped up to the plate to pick up where the previous club president left off.
The past president used to be very involved, Hart said, “but she started home-schooling her kids and just got very busy and very occupied and just didn’t have the time.”
Scheduled events became more and more infrequent, “so people got less interested,” Hart noted. “When I started in September, there were just a few members and nobody was taking charge.”
She saw a need and wanted to fill that need. First, she discussed her plans to get actively involved in the club with her husband and got his blessing and support. And with the help of the few other moms in the club, “I know I can do it. It’s just publicizing and trying to get members to come to the meetings and play date,” said Hart of her plan to revitalize the group.
“It’s an awesome program for stay-at-home Moms. I’d wake up in the morning and say, what can I do with my kids today? But with Moms Club, I can do something different every day,” she said.
And that’s one of the benefits that Moms can derive out of the club, Hart pointed out. “They don’t have to feel alone like they have to go to the parks or events alone, and you gain so much friendships. All the women have become close and dear friends. And we all have something in common, and that’s our kids.”
Hart is now the MOMS club president. Her cousin, Wendy DeGroot, who joined the club with her at the same time in September, is now the group’s treasurer.
“Usually, we have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer,” said Hart. But since the group is very small at this point, she and her cousin are the only officers at the moment.
They are hoping that won’t be the case for very long. They have just launched a membership drive and have issued invitations to stay-at-home moms or mothers who are working part-time to attend an Open House Play Date on Friday, May 6, at a park in Manteca starting at 3:30 p.m. Hart is not publicizing the meeting place and is asking interested moms to call or send her an e-mail for that information.
“We will have plenty of crafts and toys to keep the little ones amused. Refreshments will be provided,” Hart said.
“Although some of us have lived here for years and are experienced mothers, many of us are new to the town and new to motherhood. We all have one thing in common and we want to share it with each other,” added Hart who is the mother of two young children ages 3 and 10 months.
The nationwide club has helped MOMS everywhere, she said. “I’m a stay-at-home mother whose husband works long hours. Having two young children and being new to the area, it’s hard to find things to do with other moms and their children.”
The monthly meetings are also full of information, with featured speakers addressing different topics of discussion. Additionally, said Hart, “The MOMS Club has park play dates, special outings for mothers and their children, Moms’ night outs, holiday activities, as well as service projects benefiting needy children in the community. This club is an awesome way to meet people and do something for our community.”
MOMS’ night out is a lot of fun, Hart said. “All the moms get together, like a girls’ night out, on a Friday or Saturday night once a month.”
It could be simply a time to sit and just relax, which is what they did one Friday night when “we just sat and we all brought potluck or hors d’oeuvres and just talked and relaxed at somebody’s house.”
Another night, the moms all went to get their nails done; other times they go to a restaurant and “just sit and relax.”
Hart said parents who plan to attend the May 6 reorganizing meeting and park play date with their kids can bring crafts and games for the children to enjoy.
“I’m very ecstatic about starting this club all over again. To me, it means a lot because it’s built relationships and friends for me and my children. There are so many people that you can meet in this club,” Hart said.
To RSVP for the open house, or if you have further questions, contact Amy Hart at (209) 598-0405 or send her an e-mail at mantecamomsclub@yahoo.com.
The club holds their monthly meetings at the Northgate Community Church on Northgate Drive.
Collectively, the members are known simply as MOMS Club of Manteca and Lathrop.
“We are a non-profit nationwide organization, with one chapter pretty much in every town,” said Amy Hart who is trying to revive the local chapter which has gone inactive the last few months.
“We used to have quite a bit of members, a lot more members. Now, there are only five active members. There used to be 20 to 30 members that come to the meetings,” said the young Lathrop mother who has stepped up to the plate to pick up where the previous club president left off.
The past president used to be very involved, Hart said, “but she started home-schooling her kids and just got very busy and very occupied and just didn’t have the time.”
Scheduled events became more and more infrequent, “so people got less interested,” Hart noted. “When I started in September, there were just a few members and nobody was taking charge.”
She saw a need and wanted to fill that need. First, she discussed her plans to get actively involved in the club with her husband and got his blessing and support. And with the help of the few other moms in the club, “I know I can do it. It’s just publicizing and trying to get members to come to the meetings and play date,” said Hart of her plan to revitalize the group.
“It’s an awesome program for stay-at-home Moms. I’d wake up in the morning and say, what can I do with my kids today? But with Moms Club, I can do something different every day,” she said.
And that’s one of the benefits that Moms can derive out of the club, Hart pointed out. “They don’t have to feel alone like they have to go to the parks or events alone, and you gain so much friendships. All the women have become close and dear friends. And we all have something in common, and that’s our kids.”
Hart is now the MOMS club president. Her cousin, Wendy DeGroot, who joined the club with her at the same time in September, is now the group’s treasurer.
“Usually, we have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer,” said Hart. But since the group is very small at this point, she and her cousin are the only officers at the moment.
They are hoping that won’t be the case for very long. They have just launched a membership drive and have issued invitations to stay-at-home moms or mothers who are working part-time to attend an Open House Play Date on Friday, May 6, at a park in Manteca starting at 3:30 p.m. Hart is not publicizing the meeting place and is asking interested moms to call or send her an e-mail for that information.
“We will have plenty of crafts and toys to keep the little ones amused. Refreshments will be provided,” Hart said.
“Although some of us have lived here for years and are experienced mothers, many of us are new to the town and new to motherhood. We all have one thing in common and we want to share it with each other,” added Hart who is the mother of two young children ages 3 and 10 months.
The nationwide club has helped MOMS everywhere, she said. “I’m a stay-at-home mother whose husband works long hours. Having two young children and being new to the area, it’s hard to find things to do with other moms and their children.”
The monthly meetings are also full of information, with featured speakers addressing different topics of discussion. Additionally, said Hart, “The MOMS Club has park play dates, special outings for mothers and their children, Moms’ night outs, holiday activities, as well as service projects benefiting needy children in the community. This club is an awesome way to meet people and do something for our community.”
MOMS’ night out is a lot of fun, Hart said. “All the moms get together, like a girls’ night out, on a Friday or Saturday night once a month.”
It could be simply a time to sit and just relax, which is what they did one Friday night when “we just sat and we all brought potluck or hors d’oeuvres and just talked and relaxed at somebody’s house.”
Another night, the moms all went to get their nails done; other times they go to a restaurant and “just sit and relax.”
Hart said parents who plan to attend the May 6 reorganizing meeting and park play date with their kids can bring crafts and games for the children to enjoy.
“I’m very ecstatic about starting this club all over again. To me, it means a lot because it’s built relationships and friends for me and my children. There are so many people that you can meet in this club,” Hart said.
To RSVP for the open house, or if you have further questions, contact Amy Hart at (209) 598-0405 or send her an e-mail at mantecamomsclub@yahoo.com.
The club holds their monthly meetings at the Northgate Community Church on Northgate Drive.
