“This year, with the economy, we decided to hold a fundraiser instead of asking people for donations and have reached out to vendors, gyms, restaurants and others to participate,” said Rosella Mulone-Perez, mother of two children, ages 2 and a half and 4. She is one of the group’s current organizers, posting events for her children’s age group.
The organization was started in 2006 by two mothers who had left the working world to raise their young children. The closest similar group was in Astoria, which was considered too far away.
“We had no idea how hard it was to stay home. There is the boredom factor and no- where to go, plus it’s hard to meet people with children the same age,” said Joanna Pikramenos-Lombardi, who was one of the original organizers on meetup.com.
The group was an immediate hit, and moms from as far away as Rego Park and Forest Hills have joined. Events are broken down by age groups: infants, crawlers, walkers and pre-school, although sometimes the lines get blurred when there are older siblings involved.
The current age range is infant to 5, but that is increasing as members’ children get older.
So far, no stay-at-home fathers have applied for membership, but with the current economy, it could happen. “We would be happy to have them,” Mulone-Perez said.
Events are posted for every day of the week, although most are held Monday through Friday, with weekend activities for the rest of the families, like dads and working moms. There are even moms’ night out at restaurants and evening programs where they learn to do such hobbies as scrapbooking.
“It’s like a support group,” Mulone-Perez said. “It’s a way to network and build friendships.”
She participates in events with her children at least three times a week, from breakfasts, museum visits and library outings to home play dates. The group also holds holiday parties, monthly visits to the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston, book clubs for children and music events.
Pikramenos-Lombardi, the mother of a 2-year-old and a 4 and one-half-year old, is now working part-time but previously participated in events three or four times a week. “I still use the message board daily,” she said, noting that members interact with questions and answers on such topics as the best pre-schools and good pediatricians.
Two of the places a lot of the moms like to take their children are Party Gras Cafe, near Bowne Park in Flushing, and Pesso’s Homemade Italian Ices in Bayside. Both establishments are among the vendors taking part in the May 9 fundraiser.
There will be plenty of food available for sale including hot dogs, sandwiches, wraps and salads plus a moms’ bake sale. There will be activities for children and adults including arts and crafts, a magician’s show, cupcake-decorating, face painting, yoga and gymnastics.
Moms with stay-at-home businesses will ply their wares including Avon, Two B Original, Lisa’s Crystal Creations and more. Prize giveaway tickets will be sold for $5 and include such goodies as gift baskets, Mets tickets and gift certificates for books.
If the weather permits, some of the activities will be held outside, including exploring an official police car and a fire truck.
For more information on the group, go to meetup.com/momsofnortheastqueens.
|
|
