Enlisted Spouses Club under way at Tinker Published Dec. 3, 2007 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Amy Stuart was on a mission. When the enlisted spouse learned Tinker didn't have a club for her peers, she took action and started one. She spent a year researching, organizing her intentions and working with first shirts. After 14 months, Tinker's new Enlisted Spouses Club is on its way. "It's important for socialization," said Ms. Stuart, club president and wife of Staff Sgt. Thomas Stuart of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "Without a group to go to every month, and no family (nearby), we become everyone's extended family." The club of about 50 meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month, excluding holidays, at the Tinker Chapel fellowship hall. Essentially anyone affiliated with the base is welcome to attend. Ms. Stuart said a typical meeting has about 10 minutes of business to discuss upcoming activities such as Christmas shopping, a scrapbooking night or a family field trip. The group also discusses concerns such as the stresses of a spouse's deployment. "If you need a hug, we give free hugs," Ms. Stuart said. Ms. Stuart said the remainder of the meeting is spent socializing. "Our goal is to make sure everyone feels wanted. We will fill the needs of the community and first shirts and anyone else on base," Ms. Stuart said. "Eventually we'll do fundraisers, community outreach on and off base and just try to keep the morale high." Currently, there is no dues, but the six board officials have discussed implementing a $20 annual dues, or if paid in monthly installments, $2 per month, to pay for group activities. "I am very proud of what she has started and the accomplishments that she and the group will have in the future," said Sergeant Stuart. For more information, e-mail Ms. Stuart at amy_stu3@msn.com, go to the group's Web page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinkerESG/ or attend a meeting.