MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Moody's Spouses Club is scheduled to hold its meet-and-greet membership meeting 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Moody Field Club to give spouses a chance to see what the club offers.
The mission of MSC is to promote friendship and support among spouses through social and charitable activities.
"We provide a meeting place for spouses from all the squadrons to socialize," said Reina Conde, the club's current president and wife of Maj. Benjamin Conde, 347th Rescue Group chief of standardization and evaluations. "The club is focused on allowing members to easily connect with others who have similar experiences."
The club begins in August and ends in May to coincide with the school year. It is open to all active duty and retired spouses as well as civilian equivalents.
"Every month or week we have special activities such as arts and crafts night and playing mah-jongg," the club president said. "In addition, some of the activities we do are to raise money for local and military charities."
Last year, the club raised $10,000, which was used for scholarships awarded to military spouses and dependents.
Since the club is held on base, Air Force instruction only permits two fundraisers per quarter.
"Some of the fundraisers we've done were gift wrapping for donations and bake sales," said Mrs. Conde. "We will do anything and everything to raise money for a good cause."
A few of the charities that the club contributes to are the First Sergeant's Council, Friends and Family Support, American Red Cross and The Haven.
Money toward local and military charities not only comes from fundraisers, but from the Thrift Shop, which the club operates.
"We raised $6,000 last year from the Thrift Shop alone," said Peggy Gates, Thrift Shop manager. "It's a highly successful way to raise money for scholarships and charities."
The club's upcoming events are a movie night scheduled for Sept. 18, a Halloween costume party in October, and an Alzheimer's walk in November.
The membership meeting will be the kick-off event for a great year, said Mrs. Conde.
"I would like to get more people interested in joining the club," she said. "I hope that there will be more involvement as well as more activities."