MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- In honor of sacrifices military wives and mothers make each day, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County hosted a Mother’s Day luncheon and spa day at Camp Pendleton’s Abby Reinke Wire Mountain Community Center, May 8.

The event was part of BBBS’s Operation Bigs, a program that reaches out specifically to military parents.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization facilitates one-on-one mentorship, where a child can spend quality time with an adult companion, dubbed “big brother” or “big sister.”

The military mothers and children who attended the affair received a buffet-style lunch, free makeovers, massages and a free book.

“It’s important that we give back to family members of the military and recognize all of the sacrifices they have made,” said Tina Rose, marketing director, BBBS San Diego County. “This event was an opportunity to bring better awareness of the program and reach out to more children on base.”

Guest speaker at the Mother’s Day event was Author Leeana Tankersley, whose book on the hardships of military living was donated to all the attendees.

“It’s important that mothers have a day to be pampered and taken care of said Tankersley, who is also the wife of a U.S. Navy Seal. “Most of a mother’s work is behind the scenes, and it’s events like this that recognize what they do.”

After the special message from the guest speaker, more than 25 mothers were treated to makeovers, given by students of a local San Diego beauty school.

“This was a great opportunity for us to get away and relax,” said Oga Wheeler, a military mother. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Operation Bigs program hosts many events annually to mentor children of deployed service members. For more information on upcoming events, contact BBBS San Diego County at, (619)-226-6333.