Enlisted spouses group plans active year Published Jan. 20, 2012 By Kelly Deichert Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Maxwell-Gunter Enlisted Spouses Club is off to a running start this year with a fitness challenge, support opportunities and thrift shop relaunch. "We offer a group of friendly enlisted spouses looking to give help and support wherever needed throughout the Maxwell-Gunter community," said Brandy O'Mary, club president. At the general membership meeting Monday, volunteers said they have been busy renovating the Gunter thrift store, preparing for the grand re-opening at 3:30 p.m. March 1. Money raised through the thrift store is used for scholarships. The club is hosting a donation drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the shop, building 850 at Gunter, accepting clothes, toys and household goods. The facility also needs operational items, such as office supplies and cleaning products. The spouses are looking for assistance now with renovations and donations, and will need volunteers to run the store once it reopens. "Our main goal is to increase the club's impact by renovating the Gunter thrift shop, build our membership and find new ways to help the base community," O'Mary said. Fitness challenge The spouses club also is making fitness a goal through a challenge, in cooperation with the Health and Wellness Center. Members are encouraged to record their weight, measurements and statistics at the HAWC and track their progress. Prizes are available. Spouses also pair up for classes at the fitness centers and encourage each other to stay active. To help meet their goals, Master Sgt. Chandra Gomez from the Health and Wellness Center spoke at Monday's meeting, sharing information about nutrition. She said healthy eating is an important key to losing weight. "Metabolism doesn't start for us until we start eating," she said, encouraging the spouses to eat a healthy breakfast to burn calories throughout the morning. When the metabolism drops, the body holds onto fat. "Eating throughout the day will keep your metabolism steady," she said. "Those who are starving themselves are not helping themselves at all." Club activities General membership meetings are at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month, unless it's a holiday. The club also hosts a Lunch Bunch on the third Monday of the month. Locations and additional information are available at maxwellgunteresc.wordpress.com. There are a variety of ways to stay active, including events, volunteer opportunities and sub-clubs. Board positions are available, too. The organization is open to new activities, such as a book club. "I'm so proud of this organization," said Sandi Killough, wife of 42nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Brian Killough. "What you're doing is phenomenal." Members and nonmembers are invited to learn about the organization in person and online. "We want all enlisted spouses to join us for meetings and activities," O'Mary said. "We also want everyone to know that we have a website and Facebook page that has all of our current events and activities." Visit www.maxwellgunteresc.wordpress.com for information.