South Windsor MOMS Club Out and About in South Windsor

For the first six months after my son was born, we didn't go out much: partially because he was a winter baby and as a first time mom I was uber-paranoid about germs but also because I didn't really have any ideas about where to go. We'd take strolls around the mall when hit with a case of extreme cabin fever but despite living in South Windsor for nearly five years, I had no idea where I could go to entertain a child.  Once the snow finally cleared and our self-imposed quarantine was lifted I was ready to go...somewhere, but I still wasn't sure where to go.

Luckily, it was right around that time that I joined the South Windsor MOMS Club.  The South Windsor MOMS Club offers friendship, support and activities for stay-at-home moms and their children.  MOMS Club (MOMS Offering Moms Support) is an international nonprofit organization with more than 2,000 chapters across the country.  Our chapter was established in 1998. 

Soon, thanks to the MOMS Club's weekly activities around town and playgroup meetings, I had a growing list of awesome kids activities to do around the state and suddenly South Windsor began to feel like home. It's so nice to show up for an afternoon at the pool or playground and randomly run into someone to chat with while the kids are having fun. I know all the best places in town to go for ice cream (did you know we have more than ten ice cream/frozen yogurt shops?), which playgrounds have swings and are fenced in (a must for some of our members with twins!), and that if you want to sign your kids up for classes at the community center, you'd better be sitting at your computer promptly at 8:00 a.m. on registration day (August 9!).

Our August calendar really emphasizes the importance of the MOMS Club’s relationship with the South Windsor community.  We're holding a Family Night Out at the Evergreen Walk Summer Concert Series - we were rained out on August 1, but the forecast for tonight's rain date looks beautiful. What better way to spend a hot August night than listening to some fun Jimmy Buffet-style music, snacking on some frozen treats, and dancing with friends? This event always been lots of fun, as well as a way to support both the town and the businesses at Evergreen Walk.

In addition to utilizing all our wonderful community has to offer, the South Windsor MOMS Club also strives to give back to the community as well.  It’s clear that aspect of our mission is recognized by the town: the town recently reached out to us to collect back-to-school supplies for less privileged children. Once again our members came through and donated more than 50 different items! A big thanks to everyone who donated and Lindsey Articolo, who organized the collection.

Then there’s our big community project this month: our day at the South Windsor Farmers Market. I know I was impressed with the change in the Farmers Market from last summer and I’m so proud that the MOMS Club was asked to participate in their big expansion! Each week a different organization in the community is providing entertainment at the farmer's market and on August 17, the MOMS Club will be there! We’ll be helping to entertain the kiddos with bubbles and sticker pictures so be sure to stop by our booth and say, "hello!"

I would be remiss if I wrote about the South Windsor MOMS Club contributions to our community without mentioning semi-annual consignment sale. This fall’s sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th at the Wapping Community Church (1790 Ellington Road) and plans are already getting underway. Each year proceeds from the sale go to a local nonprofit that benefits children and families: this spring we donated a record $5750 to Wood Memorial Library. In total, since 2006, we have donated nearly $60,000 to South Windsor organizations. I could not be more proud that the MOMS Club’s hard work helps fund some of these crucial town programs. For more information about the sale (and about how to sell at our sale), please visit our webpage: https://swmoms.shutterfly.com/fall2013sale.

So I hope you will all mark your calendars to come see us at the farmer's market on August 17 and at our semi-annual consignment sale on October 5! The South Windsor MOMS Club looks forward to seeing many of you out and about in our wonderful community!