Spouses clubs looking for new members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Whiteman Officer Spouses Club will be hosting a membership drive Sept. 19 at the Stars and Strokes Bowling Center. While the next Whiteman Enlisted Spouses Club is Sept. 17 at Missions End. The goal of these socials is to add new members to the clubs while also enjoying good time.

"The purpose of the spouse's clubs is to provide support for each other, through social events and activities," said Patti Temple, WOSC president, "and we put a high emphasis on working to support our base and local communities."

The spouses clubs have volunteered their time to fully run the base Thrift Store and Airman's Attic. They also work within the local community with past events such as working with the Destiny House in Warrensburg. Future events include the Veterans Poker Walk.

"The Airman's Attic offers free items for staff sergeants and below," Ashley Hager, WOSC member. "While the Thrift Store offers items for anybody on base at discounted prices. We take the profits from the Thrift Store and use it to give back. We are able to offer scholarships and make donations to other organizations."

Last "board" year the WESC and WOSC were able to give away thousands of dollars through grants, donations and scholarships. Some of the charities that the clubs supported include: Air Force Village, American Cancer Society, The Bittersweet Place, Knob Noster Back Snack, Spirit Café and the Whiteman AFB Youth Center.

Any of active duty members and retired members are welcome to join the clubs, as well as guard, reservist and GS officer equivalent spouses.

"I joined the club as a chance to meet new people," Hager said. "It also gave me a great platform to give back some of my time and talents to the base and surrounding communities."

Temple believes the clubs are a great opportunity for any spouse specially spouses new to the base.

"We provide a sense of community and friendship for our spouses," Temple said. "We are all spouses of military members so essentially we are all in the same boat and it helps us relate to each other."

"Some of our spouses work outside of home, some are stay at home moms or full time homemakers, but we all share the same desire to meet people, build lasting friendships and become actively involved in helping our community," Hager said.

If you are interested in becoming a member you can contact Christine Theaker for the enlisted club at wescmembership@gmail.com and Jackie Stubbs for the officer club at wosc.memberships@gmail.com.