MOSES LAKE — For Jeannie Austin, just showing up is the biggest way to impact your community. Austin is co-founder with Stephanie Blauert of a Facebook group with in-person impacts called Moms Helping Moms, where parents can trade with others and help those in need. 

“I just saw that there was a huge need for something in the community to bring others together who could help those who needed help,” Austin said. “We were just trying to create a safe space where people could come together, not just moms, but dads alike.” 

Austin didn’t start the group alone; she had help from Blauert, a close friend. They met when they were taking classes to become nursing assistants, and from there they kept in contact with each other. When Austin made a post to Facebook that she wanted to create this group, Blauert jumped at the opportunity. 

“As a struggling mom myself at the time, I was like, ‘You know, I really think that’s a wonderful idea,’ especially with the community that we have and so we just kind of dove right into it,” Blauert said. 

When they got together and started organizing the group, they shared the same goal of creating a safe space for community members in need to reach out for assistance, according to Austin. It’s their attempt to break down the barriers that prevent people from asking for help when they need it. 

“There’s no buying, there’s no selling. It’s just a free group where you can trade what you have or help those in need. It’s connecting those who are more fortunate with those who are less fortunate and being that safe space where you can feel free to ask for the things you need,” Austin said. 

In the beginning, word of mouth played a role in getting their group out there in the community. What started with 15 moms in 2018 grew to more than 3,000 members today. As their numbers grew, they saw another need during the holiday season, so they organized a toy drive and began handing out flyers to the community, Blauert said. 

Austin was moved by the community’s response. 

“It’s been rewarding. I don’t know any other word to say, except that, to see a community come together and help each other without judgment. I’ve never been in a community like that, and I’m not from here,” Austin said, “It opened my eyes to the people here in this area, and Grant and Adams (counties are) one of the best communities that come together and help each other.”

In addition to partnering with Lorelai’s Toy Drive, the group collects donations throughout the year and keeps them organized in a storage unit. According to Austin, running this group is like a second full-time job. She balances working in advertising at the Columbia Basin Herald, being a mom, and running Moms Helping Moms.

The work is nonstop for the group; they collect donations almost daily and organize fundraising events on weekends.  

The group’s work was recognized in 2023 for its impact in the community at the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors banquet. Austin said hers was nominated alongside six other groups.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and you’re overjoyed with being recognized. Everyone likes a little recognition for their hard work, but also, I was like, ‘I do not deserve this,’ because it was a group effort,” Austin said. 

Austin was able to attend the dinner alongside Blauert and share in celebration of their hard work.

“It was one of the biggest moments for all that hard work, the blood, sweat and tears that we put into it, because this is all volunteer. We do this all on our own time,” Blauert said, “It really kind of helps you hold your head a little higher and have that much more drive to get out there and do more of this work after being noticed for doing it.” 

As Austin and Blauert continue to grow the group, they hope eventually to become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Austin said the need for a space is there and would go a long way in increasing their impact in the community. 

Those interested in joining the group may visit the group at https://bit.ly/MOMSHELP 

    Jeannie Austin with Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors president Tami Canfield at the banquet where she was awarded citizen of the year. Austin said she wants the group to eventually become a nonprofit organization.
  

    Stephanie Blauert takes a selfie with Jeannie Austin and fellow group members of Moms Helping Moms. Austin and Blauert met during a college course and have remained friends ever since, eventually starting the Facebook group together.
 COURTESY PHOTO/JEANNIE AUSTIN   

    Members of the Moms Helping Moms group gather to take a photo with Santa. Austin said they do a meet-and-greet with Santa every year during the holiday season.
  

    Jeannie Austin and members of Moms Helping Moms holding their annual toy drive with appearances from Santa and the Grinch. Austin said the group gathers donations for the drive throughout the year.
  

    A mountain of toy donations in Jeannie Austin’s living room as she prepared for the toy drive. Austin said her house often looks like the North Pole during the holiday season.