MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- More than 200 of Camp Pendleton military spouses ventured out to the Enlisted Wives Club’s and Officers Wives Club’s Fiesta Day on the lawn of the Ranch House, Sept. 14.   

Camp Pendleton’s Officers’ Wives Club and Enlisted Wives Club came together in a joint recruiting effort to give military spouses a chance to be a part of their organizations.

The Pendleton EWC and OWC are social, non-profit service organizations, committed to providing community service, fostering friendships and a sense of family for all military spouses. Their key goal is to promote goodwill among club members and to support social, educational and community projects in and around Pendleton.

“Seeing all these new faces really lets us know that the club is something that a lot of military wives want to be a part of,” said Cathy Pratt, president, OWC. “Every year, we seem to get more and more wives coming out to see what we have to offer.”

This year’s Fiesta Day marked the 15th consecutive year that the OWC and the EWC have combined their efforts to reach out to the Pendleton military spouse community.

The afternoon fiesta featured more than 50 booths, offering a variety of services, lined the driveway of Camp Pendleton’s historical Ranch House.

Some of the booths displayed organizations such as the Armed Services YMCA and Marine Corps Community Services, along with some home-based businesses looking to increase cliental.

One new feature added to this year’s fiesta was a blood donation drive hosted by the American Red Cross, which drew in more than 50 participants.

Making a special unannounced visit to the function were some of Pendleton’s leading Marines including, Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commanding officer, 1st Marine Division, Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Sgt. Maj. Ramona D. Cook, sergeant major, MCB Camp Pendleton.

For more information about joining the Enlisted Wives Club call (760) 899-5225. For the Officers Wives Club, e-mail their membership personnel at  membership@camppendeltonowc.org.