I have a lot of kids. Four, to be exact. Though the little guys are 20-months old and not quite present to their siblings yet, my two older kids are very close. They miss each other when one is away. They hang out, play together, help each other with homework, share secrets, fears and successes with each other. I cannot imagine the day when they have to be separated for college or other opportunities “growing-up” provides them.

My little entourage

My siblings and I were pretty close growing up as well, as were my mom’s siblings. I do not joke when I say my immediate family is an automatic 30 people at an event. Sunday dinners with my family is like a small wedding. I could never imagine growing up any other way. It is nice to have a built-in support system. People are usually surprised about how many kids I have, and I have to say, if I didn’t live in Las Vegas, or wasn’t surrounded by so much family, I’m not sure I would have been able to convince my husband (who comes from a much smaller family) that we could do it. We are so blessed, in so many ways.

My brother, sister and me with my grandmother at Thanksgiving 2011

My father, however, was not so lucky in his childhood. He was abandoned by his mother at the age of 3. His father had passed away. He was left alone in this crazy town over 50 years ago. He became a ward of the state. He had older siblings, and family in Texas. But instead of being sent back to live with them, he was put into the foster care system in Southern Nevada. Granted, I am grateful there was such a system for a defenseless little guy of just 3 years, but at the same time, it saddens me to think it was my dad. I cannot even imagine one of my twins, or my kids going through the foster care system at that age. And, if for some uncontrollable reason they ever did, I could not imagine them having to be separated from each other and raised in four different families. It’s a sad truth, and an even sadder reality for many of the children going through the foster care system in Southern Nevada.

My mom, dad, (maternal) grandmother, my kids and two of my nephews.

Fortunately, there is a wonderful organization, Child Focus, that works to maintain the bonds of siblings separated by foster care. The non-profit organization was recently acquired by St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, another local, non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children and families.

In southern Nevada, there are over 3,200 children living in the foster care system at any given time.  Of those children, 45 percent are unable to be kept with their siblings during this challenging chapter in their lives.  Once separated, the majority of these children are never reunited. Each year, Child Focus reunites siblings through a variety of programs and activities, including marquee events such as Camp To Belong and the Gift of Giving holiday celebration.

Fifty-five siblings were re-united at a recent 51s baseball game thanks to the efforts of the Child Focus organization and Las Vegas community supporters

Child Focus relies on several fundraisers throughout the year in order to keep these programs available to the children separated from their siblings. I met with two phenomenal women, Debi Puccinelli and Jeanette Schneider, who are leading one of the major events for Child Focus, the MOMS ROCK Tea, taking place this Saturday at Southern Highlands Spa Clubhouse. They lit up when speaking about the sibling events and summer camps made possible through fundraisers like the MOMS ROCK tea, giving these children the opportunity to bond with their siblings, even if it is for a short time. They also spoke of other opportunities for the community to get involved by becoming mentors for the older siblings and offering guidance for paths in education and occupation choices.

A few of outstanding youth from Child Focus visitng with John Ocegara last year while lobbying for foster children's bill of rights. Your support of Moms Rock makes endeavors like this possible allowing youth leaders to advocate for change.

If you are looking for a great way to bond with your family this weekend, why not attend the MOMS ROCK tea to support Child Focus. There are amazing items in the silent auction, cupcakes donated from Stations Casinos, Rock The Tea will be hosting the Pirates and Princesses portion of the tea and local media celebs, Dave Courvoisier and Mercedes will be the MCs, not to mention some great live entertainment and a Kentucky Derby themed hat contest. I can’t wait to see what the Vegas ladies wear to this event. It’s bound to be a really great time. To get a better idea of what the festivities will be like this year, check out and give the MOMS ROCK facebook page a “Like“!

Support Child Focus at the MOMS ROCK Tea this Saturday, May 12th.

There is still time to save your seat at the MOMS ROCK Tea, this Saturday, May 12th, from 11-1:30pm at the Southern Highlands Spa Clubhouse. Call 702-703-MOMS (6667) or email Kevin@childfocusnv.org to reserve your seats.

Can’t attend the MOMS ROCK Tea this year, but want to support the Child Focus organization? Please visit my post on the Top 10 Reasons to Attend the MOMS ROCK Tea to learn more on how to sponsor a child for camp.

Thank you!

Child Focus sent me their Top 10 Reasons for Why You Should Attend the MOMS ROCK Tea this Saturday. Can you find a reason not to after reading this?!

The Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Attending the 9th Annual Moms Rock Mother’s Day Tea & Brunch on Saturday, May 12, from 11:00am- 1:30pm at the Spa Clubhouse at Southern Highlands:

#10

One of Las Vegas’ hottest local acts will be there!  We’ve just announced cappella singing sensations Mosaic will be our featured performers this year, bringing their unique blend of funk, pop, rock and jazz to the Moms Rock stage.  We can’t wait for you to hear these guys!

#9

You get to take the day off from the kitchen!  (Well, at least half the day!)  We’ll have a delectable array of brunch items to choose from and, in keeping with our theme, classic high tea selections as well.  Plus, we’ll be dining “al fresco” under tents and umbrellas in the stunning, shaded setting of Southern Highlands.  What could be more perfect on a lovely spring day?

#8

It’s one of the few true “all ages will love it” special events in the valley. Grandmothers, mothers, teens, tweens, babies – each year, Moms Rock brings all generations together for a day of fancy fun and cherished memories.  There’s something for everyone at Moms Rock!

#7

Your children can be princesses & pirates for the day!  Our friends from Rock the Tea will make sure to keep the little ones happy with princess and pirate outfits and activities.

#6

Finally a chance to wear a FASCINATOR!!  Why should the British royals get to have all the fun?  Don your haute hat or fab fascinator and let the inner fashionista in you come out and play for a day!  (Who knows – you may even win a fabulous prize during our hat parade!)

#5

You (or your daughter!) could “drive” off in a Mercedes convertible wearing a new diamond necklace with Katy Perry’s purse!  We’ll have an amazing array of silent auction items this year, including an electric children’s convertible Mercedes and one of the coveted candy cane purses autographed by Katy Perry!  You also can enter to win the drawing for the gorgeous mother/daughter diamond pendant necklaces created exclusively for Moms Rock by MJ Christensen Diamonds.

#4

You can be fashionable AND comfortable (for once!) at the same event!  Unless you want your heels to double as lawn aerators, might we suggest a more comfortable, yet every bit as fashionable, alternative to the sky-high heels you normally wear to events?  The wedge shoe is IN this summer, and will be your best choice for our garden party this year!  No sinking, ladies!

 #3

Your mom would rather spend a day with you than receive another beautiful bouquet of flowers. This year, give your mom what she really wants for Mother’s Day:  time with you.  Start her weekend off with fun, laughter and, most importantly, a truly special day with you at Mom’s Rock.  If you are looking for the perfect gift this year, Moms Rock is just the ticket!

#2

It’s a great way to support children living in care in our community! In southern Nevada, there are over 3,200 children living in the foster care system at any given time.  Of those children, 45 percent are unable to be kept with their siblings during this challenging chapter in their lives.  Once separated, the majority of these children are never reunited.  Child Focus at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is the only organization in Clark County devoted to preserving sibling bonds while children are in foster care, and the Moms Rock event is the major annual fundraiser held to raise funds and awareness for the organization.

And the #1 reason you should attend this year’s Moms Rock event:

All proceeds raised during Moms Rock support Child Focus at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.  Each year, Child Focus reunites siblings through a variety of programs and activities, including Camp To Belong and our holiday celebration, “Gift of Giving.”  Your support of Moms Rock helps keep these events and activities going, and allows more siblings to participate in these learning and esteem-building programs each year.

Tickets for Moms Rock are $80 for adults, $40 for children 12 and under, or $750 for a table of 10, and can be reserved by contacting Kevin@childfocus.org, or by calling 702-703-MOMS (6667).

If you cannot attend Moms Rock, but would like to help send a child to Camp To Belong, our annual summer camp, you can support our efforts this year by funding a “Campership”!  For just $240, you can send a sibling to camp for one day, or you can underwrite the entire week for $1,200.  Please call Kevin for information on our “Let’s All Go Camping” fund.  You can also CLICK HERE and watch a short video to learn more about the importance of Camp To Belong in these children’s lives.