Edwards AFB News

Moms, Pops and Tots about to upgrade

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Moms, Pops and Tots is continuing to grow with the help of a $1,000 donation from the Edwards AFB Civilian-Military Support Group. The funds will be used to help purchase new equipment and move the program into a permanent location.

The program, established last November by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, is basically a play group for parents and children five years and under. There are all kinds of activities and toys, everything from painting and bouncy houses to bean bag toss and toy horses. 

"The idea is for parents and kids to engage in the activities. If the children are painting, the moms are out there painting. Every step of the way they're right here with the kids," said Maria Chapa, AFRC team lead.

Though the program has been successful from the start, there have been a few bumps along the way. For the time being, the families are meeting at the Youth Center Gym located by the Sonic Splash Pool. This requires transferring equipment from storage lockers to the gym and then re-storing it all just two hours later.

"John Phillips is my co-worker who helped me load and unload my little car for the Moms, Pops, and Tots. It would have been three times as hard if I didn't have his help all these months," said Chapa.

But with the help of the Civ-Mil donation, that's all about to change. Col. Eric Leshinsky, 412th Mission Support Group commander, has been looking into several possible permanent locations, but hopes to relocate to the old Children's Library in the Desert Mall. Pending approval from the 412th Civil Engineering Group, the projected date for opening the permanent facility is May 28.

In the new facility, Leshinsky is confident the program will "continue to flourish just like it has since we started a few months back."

Danny A. Bazzell, Civ-Mil community liaison and former president, said the funds were "unanimously approved by the board."

The money donated to Moms, Pops and Tots does not replace Civ-Mil's annual service project. Instead it comes from their Special Projects Fund of grants awarded by Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company and Los Angeles County, in addition to donations from members and the general public.

"The bond formed between parents and their children during the pre-school years are key to a strong family dynamic," said Bazzell. 

"Civ-Mil has given us $1,000 to go and buy equipment, which will go a long way to facilitate more folks in the community joining this group," said Chief Master Sgt. David Smith, 412th Test Wing command chief. "We don't want to turn anyone away or say we've reached capacity."

The program is also a way for parents to connect with each other. Smith emphasized that this is important because they can share resources and support groups like Hearts Apart for families with deployed members.

"These programs are so important," said Smith. "We are kind of in a remote location so having a little bit more fellowship is important."

The Edwards AFB Civilian-Military Support Group is a non-profit organization that focuses 100 percent of their efforts on support of Edwards AFB. The group exists to create a friendly association between civic leaders and military personnel at Edwards. Civ-Mil acts as a host group when needed and finds annual service projects to improve the general quality of life on base.

Mom's, Pop's and Tot's meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. All children five years and under are welcome to attend with their parents at no cost.