Neighborhood parks are an integral part of the MOMS Club experience.  For many of our members, their very first MOMS Club experience was attending a new-members event at the local park.  Who still remembers looking nervously for the group of moms that you don’t know?  Encouraging your toddler to play with new friends?  Coming to the realization that — yes, there are other stay-at-home moms in the neighborhood, and they’re a pretty fantastic bunch?Kids participating in the park clean-up

The MOMS Club of Munster, IN, wanted to do something to give back to their neighborhood parks.  They approached the new Director of Parks and Recreation with an idea.  The chapter would donate their time to organize park clean-up days throughout the summer, focusing mainly on parks with a high volume of visitors.  In exchange, the Town of Munster gave the chapter a free picnic shelter rental for their annual Family Picnic!

Trash pile after clean-upThe chapter now has weekly “Clean and Play” events where they bring gloves, bags and hand sanitizer for the volunteers.   So far, 21 volunteers have completed nearly 19 hours of community service   Members enjoy a good workout while cleaning, as well as teaching their children valuable lessons about helping their community.