Photo by Jenny Kirk At a Marshall Mothers of Preschoolers meeting on Tuesday morning, (from left) Karen Bofferding, Becca Hansel and Deb Hoganson joined other members in helping prepare for the upcoming Fall Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday at Marshall Middle School. The event also features a silent auction and bake sale, all of which benefit the Marshall MOPS group.

MARSHALL — It’s not always easy being a mom. Whether it’s grumpy attitudes, defiance, illnesses, hectic schedules, picky eaters or whatever, moms face a lot of challenges when raising children. Meeting other moms who “get it” helps immensely.

That’s what makes the Marshall Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) organization so special.

“Especially when you stay at home, it’s really nice to meet a core group of moms that can really help you through the good and bad things of being a mom,” fundraising coordinator Alyssia Coudron said.

MOPS members and volunteers meet two times a month

“This morning, we’re having fellowship, watching a video that talks about being better moms and then we’re going to put together some treats for the bake sale,” Coudron said at the meeting on Tuesday morning.

About 50 moms pitched in to help organizers get ready for the 5th annual Fall Craft and Vendor Show that is slated to take place on Saturday at Marshall Middle School. Some mixed up ingredients for pumpkin bread, while others wrapped Rice Krispie bars, cut out laminated leaves or made up other recipes.

“It’s our big fundraiser,” coordinator Halie Speiser said. “A few years ago, they had to do two or three fundraisers to keep going. We do ask our moms to pay a weekly fee, to help pay our babysitters. We pay about $400 a week, but that doesn’t cover all the babysitters and other expenses like coffee, cups, plates, crafts (for the children) or speakers.”

The fundraising event, which also features a silent auction, bake sale and concessions, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are asked to park in the back lot and go through Door No. 14, which is near the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) doors. There is no cost to attend.

“We have 40 vendors coming,” Speiser said. “We have 50 booths and they’re all full. There’s anything from homemade crocheted quilts, all the way to Mary Kay, Usborne and Tupperware.”

Speiser said they’re also doing a Facebook event, where a different vendor is in the spotlight each day, as well as giving away prizes to try and reach more people and increase attendance.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout, especially with it being Homecoming weekend,” she said. “Hopefully it’ll bring in extra traffic.”

The Craft and Vendor Show will be in the MMS cafeteria. Speiser said the silent auction items will be lined up in the hallway as people come in the door. The bidding ends at 3:30 p.m.

“Quite a few businesses have donated,” she said. “I know there are a lot of out of town destinations, like Jackpot and Prairie’s Edge. I know Mall of America also donated stuff. People should park in the back, by the district office (doors). Use Door 14.”

Coudron said MOPS is grateful for generous donations.

“We are so blessed to have such a giving community,” she said. “They donated a lot of wonderful items.”

Marshall MOPS members will also be bringing homemade items to sell. Several will also volunteer during the fall event. Proceeds from the Fall Craft and Vendor Show go toward MOPS expenses and membership assistance.

“It’s a lot of work, but it pays off to do one big event so then we don’t have to worry about fundraising throughout the year or charging the moms too much for membership,” Speiser said. “The money also goes toward scholarships for moms who need it. We don’t want money to be an issue for anyone. We want all moms to come in, no matter what denomination they are or whether or not they go to church. We just want to welcome every mom.”

Marshall MOPS meet every first and third Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. at the Marshall Evangelical Free Church — often referred to as Efree Church — along Airport Road. Daycare is provided during the meetings in preschool (3-5 years), toddler (18-36 months) and infant (up to 18 months) rooms.

“The only paid staff is our babysitters who are watching our kids while we are enjoying not having to worry about them,” Coudron said. “That’s the best part. Moms get to sit here and eat a meal without having to share with their kids. The networking is also wonderful.”

While the organization is Marshall-based, Coudron said there are also moms who drive from Ivanhoe, Cottonwood, Wood Lake and other communities in the area.

“We usually fill up at least four tables and there’s eight people per table, so there’s about 40 moms at each meeting,” Coudron said. “It fluctuates with sickness and stuff that’s going on. We used to have Tracy moms come, but then they broke off from us and started their own (MOPS group).”

MOPS members take turns bringing food to share with everyone.

“We divide into groups and then once every four or five times, you’re the group that brings the food,” Coudron said. “So then the other four times, you just get to enjoy the food and drinks. Membership fees do help cover some of the cost of the plates, napkins, coffee and that kind of stuff.”

A steering committee helps make everything run smoothly. Along with Coudron and Speiser, the committee includes Brittany Skuya, Kaci Beebout, Ali Carey, Becca Flores, Cheri Mathiowetz and Whitney Brunsvold, as well as mentor moms Karen Bofferding, Cindy Bader, Deb Hoganson and Linda Saugstad.

“The steering committee is a group of moms that comes up with the ideas that we do throughout the year,” Coudron said. “We also have moms whose kids are grown and they provide a little bit of mentoring.”

The first MOPS meeting took place in 1973 in Colorado. Currently, MOPS groups are meeting in more than 50 countries around the world.

“MOPS is a worldwide group that provides a curriculum that we can follow,” Speiser said. “You can find MOPS groups all over nowadays.”

Speiser said Marshall MOPS has been around for at least 20 years.

“I know it’s more than 20 years because one of our mentor moms used to come when her kids were preschool age,” she said.

This year’s MOPS theme is ‘Find Your Fire.” The Marshall organization has theme-appropriate decorations put up and gives out prizes for birthdays, new births and other celebratory milestones.

“A lot of times, moms aren’t recognized,” Coudron said. “So we celebrate some of those things. We also talks about miscarriage, potty training and other issues.”

New members are accepted at any time. Marshall MOPS has its own Facebook page or email the group at marshallmops@hotmail.com.

“Moms can check us out on Facebook, email us or just show up on a Tuesday morning,” Coudron said. “We would welcome them.”