Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples News

Women's History Month exhibit features CAMOM

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 16:24:21 GMT

Columbia MD Archives is collaborating with the Columbia Art Center by presenting an exhibit for Women's History Month titled From Planning to Reality, How Women in Columbia Designed Community: A Snapshot of the Collections in Columbia Maryland Archives. One of the organizations featured is the Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples!

There will be a reception on Saturday March 9th from 1 pm-3 pm at the Columbia Art Center and will have donation bins for the Women's Giving Circle feminine hygiene products drive. There is no RSVP for this event; it is a free reception and open to the public.

The exhibit will be in the Columbia Art Center from March 8th-April 7th, 2024. It can be viewed during the Art Center's hours of operation.

CAMOM awarded CFHoCo 2023 Community Grant

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:10:16 GMT

CAMOM is excited to announce we have been selected to receive a $1,000 grant through the Community Foundation of Howard County's (CFHoCo) 2023 Community Grant program! Read the full press release here on the CFHoCo's website. CAMOM is one of 49 organizations in Howard County receiving funding to use in general operational and administrative costs.

About the Community Foundation of Howard County: For more than 50 years, the Community Foundation of Howard County has served as a knowledgeable, trusted partner that forges connections between donors and nonprofit organizations to provide impactful investments in Howard County. Last year the foundation awarded $1.75 million across 480 grants and scholarships to organizations delivering human services, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Funds to support grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the foundation’s endowment supported by nearly 400 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit CFHoCo.org or call 410-730-7840.

HoCo Pirate Adventures! selects CAMOM for Donation

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:02:20 GMT

HoCo Pirate Adventures! donated $500 to CAMOM - Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples. HoCo Pirate Adventures take a portion of the funds collected from hunt sales and give to a local, Howard County organization or charity. CAMOM was the THIRD donated local non profit. Thank you HoCo Pirate Adventures and our local community for participating in the treasure hunts with your pirates and supporting CAMOM.

For more information on HoCo Pirate Adventures: https://hocopirateadventures.com/

Spring Consignment Sale Returns April 22nd!

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:57:21 GMT

CAMOM is so excited to announce that our consignment sale is returning this spring! Please join us Saturday, April 22nd at Cradlerock Elementary School from 8am-1pm.

See www.camom.org/consignment for more information or email any questions to sales@camom.org. See you there!

Masks optional

Maria Strohmayer — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:42:08 GMT

As of March 16, 2022, the CAMOM Board votes to make face mask wearing optional for any upcoming CAMOM events. This decision is supported by the Executive Order by County Executive Calvin Ball to lift the mask mandate in Howard County on February 1st. The Board also votes that CAMOM policies will automatically change should there be any changes to Howard County's mask wearing decisions in the future.

While masks will no longer be required, families should feel encouraged to make the decision they feel most comfortable with. Thank you for your patience and flexibility in this changing COVID-19 landscape.

Outdoor Consignment Sale set for April 30th!

Maria Strohmayer — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:06:46 GMT

We are excited to announce a return to CAMOM's semi-annual children's sale in a new venue and outdoor format in Downtown Columbia.

Follow along for updates at www.camom.org/consignment, and please download our printable flier to share with local networks!

Questions? Contact sales@camom.org.

CAMOM Receives HoCo RISE Nonprofit Grant

Maria Strohmayer — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:14:13 GMT

In July, County Executive Calvin Ball announced $1 million in HoCo RISE grants to social services nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Howard County. CAMOM and several other organizations were among the recipients. The grant money comes from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community, while the grants will be administered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

In announcing the funding, Ball explained in the Columbia Patch, "Our nonprofit community has worked tirelessly during this pandemic to support our most vulnerable, and we need to help the helpers." He continued, "If we want to be successful on our road to recovery, we must lift up our nonprofits and our community that wakes up every day asking themselves, 'how can we help?' These grants will ensure that our nonprofits have the resources, funding, and operations to continue their important daily work to support our residents."

"We are extremely grateful to County Executive Ball for his leadership during the pandemic and for the $5,000 HoCo RISE Grant we received," shared CAMOM Co-Presidents Krista MacGahan and Maria Strohmayer in a joint statement. "It provides us with the means to support operational costs, upgrade technology and safety measures at our major consignment sale fundraisers, and develop hybrid in-person/online programming so that we can continue to foster support and connection within families of multiples in our area."

RISE is an acronym for 'Reopening Innovatively, Safely, and Effectively'. Other nonprofit organizations in the health and human services, youth services, business assistance and workforce development sectors within Howard County also received HoCo RISE Grants from the County.

Fall 2021 Sale Cancelled

Maria Strohmayer — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:29:20 GMT

We have decided to cancel CAMOM's Fall 2021 Consignment Sale to keep our community safe as the Delta variant expands in Maryland.

As a safer alternative, the Sales Committee will host an outdoor drop-off event for FUNDrive on the same date and location, September 18, 2021, from 10am-2pm, at Lincoln Tech. We will be collecting mainly soft goods (clothing, shoes & belts, handbags & backpacks, sheets & blankets, towels, tablecloths & curtains, etc.)

The consignment sales have historically been our largest fundraiser and we will be shifting funds allocated to the Fall 2021 Sale to other member resources. Donations are always accepted at camom.org/Donate.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@camom.org. To our current sellers, thank you for all the work you've already put into the Fall sale. To our hard working Board volunteers, thank you for all the time and creative ways you have brainstormed to make a sale feasible despite our COVID limitations. We hope to be able to hold a safe and successful sale in the spring!

Thank you,

Krista MacGahan and Maria Strohmayer

Fall 2021 Consignment Sale is ON!

Maria Strohmayer — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 02:32:23 GMT

We are excited to announce that the Fall 2021 Consignment Sale will be held at a new venue, the Lincoln School of Technology on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

Check out up-to-date information about the upcoming sale by visiting camom.org/consignment. This page will also provide downloadable sale flyers in English and Spanish to spread the word around town.

New this year, CAMOM members are also welcome to access member-only content at camom.org/consignment-seller for information on seller registration, seller guidelines, and FAQs.

Please also note that per our update mask policy, masks will be required at all indoor events including the upcoming Fall sale.

We can't wait to welcome you to our new space and help you to empty out your closets while supporting CAMOM! Happy buying and selling!

Mask Update

Maria Strohmayer — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:32:53 GMT

CAMOM has been monitoring the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in and around the county as the Delta variant has spread. The CDC now strongly recommends that all people, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask while indoors. The CAMOM Board has voted to follow this recommendation to require face masks at indoor CAMOM events out of an abundance of caution and care for our members and families. Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we adjust to a changing COVID landscape.

Successful Howard County NICU Drive

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 20:46:38 GMT

CAMOM did an online drive for the Howard County NICU. Our members stepped up. They purchased 40 Halo swaddles in Newborn and Preemie size, as well as 14 mobiles for the cribs. The older babies especially will like stimulation. This is a partnership we would love to continue in the future!

NICU Bag Drop off

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 18:49:12 GMT

For their monthly June board meeting, the CAMOM board stuffed bags for the NICU familes. We stuffed 25 bags, one for each NICU bed, with chapstick, water, snacks, and and other self care items. The goal was to provide a little support for all the families in the NICU for the July 4 holiday. They were well received!!

Masks No Longer Required

Maria Strohmayer — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 00:42:53 GMT

On June 15, 2021, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency in the State of Maryland. He also announced that all emergency mandates and restrictions will be terminated as of July 1. There will no longer be a statewide mask order in effect for any settings, including schools, camps, and child care facilities. These decisions are based on the data that Maryland has now surpassed 6.5 million vaccinations and the positivity rate is a record-low 0.82%.

Based on changes to state guidelines, the CAMOM Board has voted to also lift all mask requirements for upcoming CAMOM events. Masks are always welcome, and we continue to encourage mask wearing for the protection of our pregnant mothers and prematurely-born babies and children. We also encourage families to follow public health recommendations from the CDC for unvaccinated adults and children and in indoor settings. As we begin to select new venues, masking requirements will also be subject to the discretion of the venue policy.

We look forward to seeing your smiles again!

- The CAMOM Board

Masks Still Required

Maria Strohmayer — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 18:27:34 GMT

Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan lifted the outdoor mask mandate in the state of Maryland.

Following state guidance that face coverings are still required for "large, ticketed venues, the Board decides that CAMOM events will still require mask wearing for adults and children ages 2 and up until further notice. This decision aims to protects our pregnant members, preemie babies, and unvaccinated children and adults.

Thank you for helping all of us to stay COVID safe!

- The CAMOM Board

Statement in support of Asian Americans

Maria Strohmayer — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 23:00:52 GMT

Earlier today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and First Lady Yumi Hogan demonstrated their shared commitment to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Howard County and Maryland. In Ball's public statement, he noted that Howard County is home to nearly 60,000 Asian Americans, and many of our neighbors operate beloved businesses, restaurants, and services in our neighborhoods.

The recent hate crimes against Asian Americans in Georgia and around the country are not consistent with CAMOM values and we condemn them in the strongest manner possible. As an organization that supports families of multiples, we stand in support of our Asian American families and all those impacted by this recent showing of hate and racism in our communities. We want to remind our members of our Member Code of Conduct that promotes inclusiveness and support of our members.

Maria Strohmayer & Rebekah Allen
CAMOM Co-Presidents

Support CAMOM's FUNDrive!

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Due to COVID-19, CAMOM has cancelled the Spring 2021 Consignment Sale. Instead, we are ramping up efforts for CAMOM’s FUNDrive, an eco-friendly fundraiser for non-profit organizations. We are collecting donations of used clothing and household textiles at various locations in Catonsville, Columbia, and Laurel now through April 2, 2021.

A socially-distanced drop-off is scheduled for Saturday, March 27th in a central Columbia location. Please register here for more details.

Welcome to our new home, camom.org!

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 15:00:00 GMT

We are happy to announce the official launch of a new online space for CAMOM members through www.camom.org. Access to CAMOM's revamped member portal (Wild Apricot) and helpful CAMOM resource links can all be found through this new integrated website. In this transition, we have officially left MemberPlanet and our previous .net domain.

Your account is already waiting for you! Here's how to log in for the first time:

Select the Member Log-In on the upper right corner of the website.
Choose "Forgot password" and enter your email associated with CAMOM to personalize your account.
**Note: At the time of your next scheduled membership dues, you will receive an email prompting you to enter your up-to-date payment information through the portal.

Suggested activities after logging in:

Update your member profile.
Check out and register for April & May events through the Upcoming Events Calendar.
Skim over resources like CAMOM News, Terracycle Recycling, and Member-Only Content. There, you can find our discussion forums, member discounts, member directory, and more.
Download the Wild Apricot Member app to your phone for CAMOM on-the-go!

At CAMOM, our purpose is to help families of multiples build and maintain connections with each other while being supported with resources for their parenting journeys. We created this new website as a means of strengthening these connections and interact with fellow members.

We would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our Board members, Amanda McGuire (Secretary/Philanthropy), Leann Craumer (Treasurer), Jessica Silver (Membership), Susan Moris (Webmaster), volunteers Tom McGuire and Nicholas Strohmayer, and mentor Miriam Paska of Montgomery County Parents of Multiples. We extend our gratitude for their time and thoughtfulness in ensuring the success of our transition.

Stay tuned for more CAMOM programs, events, and fun!

Best Regards,

Rebekah Allen & Maria Strohmayer,
Board Co-Presidents, CAMOM