Malmstrom Spouse’s Club kicks-off membership drive; gears up for annual auction

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
  • 31st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  More than 50 people attended the free ice cream social and membership drive for the Malmstrom Spouse's Club Aug. 21 at the Grizzly Bend Club. The MSC is an active and supportive group of spouses who meet for events, while raising and donating more than $10,000 annually. 

The club is open to all officer and enlisted spouses who want to participate in social activities, yet make an impact on their community. 

"This is our second year as a combined group," said Debbie Neutzling, MSC president. "We really want to get the word out about the MSC and our involvement in the community, especially to all the new people who just moved here." 

The MSC holds monthly socials and supports mini-clubs, such as a book club, movie club, bunco night, bowling club, cooking club and much more. 

"You don't have to go to every function and it's really dependant on each person's interest and schedule," said Julie Dodge, MSC programs and activities chairperson. "It's a combined spouses club and we don't carry the old stigmas; we just want to have fun and (create an outlet) to meet new people." 

The MSC has their annual mercantile auction scheduled for Nov. 6 at the club, and it is their only fundraiser for the year. The purpose of the club is to function as a non-profit organization that raises money to donate for scholarships and charities. 

"Last year we donated to the loan closet, library, Heart Link, the food bank off-base, and t many scholarship grants," Ms. Neutzling said. "It's nice to be able to help people (financially) with their education and to further themselves." 

The MSC president said they are currently searching for someone to run the mercantile auction and chair the committee. 

"We need someone who is organized and feels comfortable contacting organizations downtown," she said. "There will be plenty of people who want to help out and organize the mercantile auction; we just need someone to be a point of contact for the committee."
This year's auction is their 20th year, and will feature a silent auction, no-host buffet, live auction and half way through the evening, a dessert auction featuring homemade goodies. Some of the items auctioned off included resort lodging, massage packages, restaurant gift certificates, framed artwork, signed literature and jewelry. 

"You don't have to be a spouse, you can be an active-duty person to join," Ms. Dodge said. "It's also not just a woman's group; it's open to everyone!"