McChord Enlisted Spouses’ Club builds friendships, helps community

New leadership has exciting plans for future

By Marques Hunter on June 22, 2012

If you're looking to join a new club, find a place to get away from the everyday stresses of life and hang out with some fun and sociable ladies, then the McChord Field Enlisted Spouses' Club (ESC) may be for you.

Whether you're retired, a stay-at-home mom or working and married to an enlisted Soldier or Airman, then the McChord ESC is a place to build friendships. It's also a good way to help the base community improve its resources to better families, said Tracey Stage, new ESC president.

"It's a way to reach out to Airmen and wives and get them active in military lifestyle and a group of women with the same thing in common," Stage said.

Stage was elected president two months ago. Her husband has been in the service for 24 years and she said she enjoys the interaction with other enlisted spouses.

The ESC also conducts several volunteer projects, including working at the Thrift Shop on McChord Field; a percentage of Thrift Shop sales go toward the club. Club members also organize the annual fishing derby at Carter Lake and other events through the Clover Park School District in Lakewood.

But the ESC is more than just a club - it's a support system. Danielle Baimbridge, ESC vice president, said when spouses are deployed, the ESC is a great connection to have that support system.

When Stage's husband was deployed, she got sick and doctors discovered a 46-pound tumor in her stomach. At the time she was just a member of the club.

"(ESC members) brought me meals to my house," she said. "If you need help, there's someone to go and help you. This is a group of ladies you bond with."

The Enlisted Spouses' Club meets every third Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Escape Zone on McChord Field. The club is open to spouses of Soldiers and Airmen.

Stage said the club plans to hold thematic meetings like a crazy hat or pajama meeting to inspire more fun and it expects to do a Fourth of July basket giveaway.

The club also awards scholarships and is giving away four scholarships totaling $3,000. The contest is a 500- to 700-word typed essay about either "How the War has Affected Your Life" or "How the Air Force has Changed Your Life."  There will be two $500 scholarships for dependents and two $1,000 scholarships. The deadline is July 15, and the winner will be notified Aug. 15. For more information, e-mail mcchordesc2008@hotmail.com or visit http://mcchordesc.webs.com.