Moving to a new base, and a new city, every few years is something most military spouses get accustomed to. For most, packing, unpacking and learning the lay of the land gets easier with each move and eventually becomes almost second nature. What never gets easier, however, is finding new friends or, if so inclined, deciding where to volunteer in a new community. One way to learn about the community, find like-minded military spouses and give back through a variety of fundraising and charitable activities is to join a military spouses' club.

McChord Field has had spouses' clubs for many years. Last summer, however, the McChord Officers' Spouses Club (OSC) and Enlisted Spouses Club (ESC) officially joined forces. Now known simply as the McChord Spouses Club (MSC), the group is open to spouses of all ranks. Though geared primarily for Air Force spouses, the club also welcomes spouses from other services. Men as well as women are invited to join.

The move came as a way to "eliminate the segregation" of the two clubs and combine fundraising and volunteer efforts, said Sydney Pincheira, the club's publicity co-chair.

Its mission is threefold: to promote charitable, social and educational activities; to extend welfare support for military members, their families and the community; and to provide opportunities for giving back to the military community and promote the abilities of its spouses, Pincheira said.

To raise money, club members pay annual dues ($25 to $35, depending on rank), fundraise at social events and run the McChord Thrift Shop.

And its fundraising efforts have clearly paid off: Later this month, the club will award more than $28,000 in scholarships to 13 Air Force family members living in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord area. Eligible applicants - Air Force active-duty spouses, children, retirees and surviving family members - are evaluated for the annual scholarship based on volunteer work, awards, employment, an essay and letters of recommendation. An outside volunteer panel determines scholarship winners, Pancheira noted.

In addition to helping Air Force family members further their educational goals through its scholarship program, the McChord Spouses Club gives back by helping military and local organizations through its welfare fund. Last year, it doled out more than $22,000 in welfare requests to members of the Air Force and local community, Pincheira said. Applicants included not only military units, but also local schools and Junior ROTC groups.

In addition to its work raising money, helping Air Force families and assisting members of the community, the club is also a great place "to make new friends and connections," Pincheria said. Members get together each month for a social event - either in the afternoon or the evening - and each event features a theme. In February, for instance, members celebrated "wine and cheese night," at the McChord Collocated Club. The next event will be the club's annual bingo fundraiser, which will be held in May.

If you are new to the community, or have been here for years and are looking for a new, fun way to make friends and help Air Force families, give the McChord Spouses Club a try. The club is actively seeking new members as well as board members. For more information about the club as well as the latest on upcoming events, visit and like the club's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcchord.spousesclub or email mcchordspousesclub@gmail.com.