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Single mothers rejuvenate at Single Moms' Morning Out
By Phyllis Coulter
pcoulter@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- This is the first year Breyan Vollmer is a single mom on Mother’s Day, but a special event Saturday helped lessen the sting of the day, she said. | Photo Gallery

She was among about 220 women who were given the “queen for a day” treatment at Single Moms’ Morning Out at Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington.

The event included spa treatments, activities for children, a 15-point car inspection, car wash, breakfast, gift bag and a take-home lunch.

Echoing the message of a sign that said “God loves single moms and so do we,” the Rev. Jerry Tracey told the single mothers: “Thank you for the job you do. We hope it’s a special day for you. We just want you to feel loved.”

Vollmer, a newly single Bloomington mother of two young boys, said she appreciated the pampering and the opportunity to share experiences with other single mothers.

“It’s heartwarming,” she said.

Vollmer relaxed and visited with her friend, Carrie Garrett of Peoria, a mother of three children and a registered nurse. Garrett came directly after a 12-hour shift, still wearing her scrubs — and oblivious to the fact she still had a stethoscope around her neck.

Vollmer said Garrett signed her up for the event.

“That’s what girls do for you,” she said.

Sitting next to Vollmer and waiting for a haircut was Dianna Halcumb, who has been a single mother for a decade. She joked that while the applause from the volunteers was nice, she would have preferred to have someone clean her house.

Halcumb, who has three daughters ages 12 to 24, said humor and the support of other single mothers helps her, especially on the challenging days.

Vollmer admitted she’s just trying to figure out what to do after being with someone for years.

Halcumb’s advice: “You learn to laugh again.”

While Vollmer’s sons, 21 months and 6 years old, were spending the day with their father, many mothers brought their children, who had their own separate activities.

About 270 children attended. Divided by age groups, they watched puppet shows, sang songs, romped in outdoor play and enjoyed other activities.

Many of the women also went home with some things they needed but didn’t have when they arrived. Four rooms inside the church, a garage and outdoor space were devoted to a free garage sale called Shared Blessings.

Church members and people in the community donated a variety of items that were free for the taking. There were piles of clothes sorted by sizes, a Nintendo Game Cube, bicycles, household goods, toys and tools.

The event also included a prayer room.

Julie Ryan, the director of women’s ministry at the church, first suggested the idea of such an event four years ago. Soon she had a lot of volunteers answering her question: “How can we bless these moms’ socks off?”

The church, 2910 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington, also runs other support groups for mothers throughout the year.

Thanks to the donation of goods and services, including hairstyling, massages and spa treatments, and the work of about 150 volunteers this year, the event’s budget was only $300, organizers said.

Take a look
Deidra Lutz, a volunteer with Hairmasters, left, gives a manicure to Angie Puckett, right, Saturday morning (May 10, 2008) during the Single Moms' Morning Out event sponsored by the Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Pinko Commie wrote on May 11, 2008 10:36 PM:

" Giggity giggity! "

krissy1126 wrote on May 11, 2008 10:03 PM:

" Actually I would agree with the comments about doing something like this for the single fathers out there. And to Skeptic, there are a lot more single fathers out there than you realize. In fact I was raised by a single father and respect him and all of the other Men who stand up and take responsibility for their children. Coming from a Mother of a child with a deadbeat father, I dont even think that a Man has to have full custody of his children to be recognized as a single father, Not even about the money, JUST BEING THERE AND LOVING YOUR CHILDREN, That means more than anything else to those kids!! I do hope to see more events like this put on in our community to recognize the really amazing EVERYDAY people out there! Keep up the good work EFC! "

skeptic wrote on May 11, 2008 5:40 PM:

" Hey normalguy your mom just called and said she wants you to get off the computer. What about fathers? Let's be honest single fathers that have custody of their kids are very few, I guess the church could have an event for the 5 guys that exist in town.
Now if only other churches in town could step up instead of existing for themselves. "

JMK wrote on May 11, 2008 10:29 AM:

" Nice job Bloomington EFC! "

normalguy wrote on May 11, 2008 9:24 AM:

" and also a great place to pickup women "

Truth wrote on May 11, 2008 7:49 AM:

" Pretty cool thing to do and a great idea! I hope they do the same thing for Fathers day for all the single Dad's out there! : ) "

buckeye wrote on May 11, 2008 6:49 AM:

" What do they have planned for fathers day? "
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