By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

A group of area women is using fitness and philanthropy to foster friendship and empowerment beyond the holiday season. 

The Moms in Motion Southern Maine Team gathered in the Biddeford area last month to refurbish the interior of an apartment for Caring Unlimited, a Sanford-based organization working to end domestic violence in York County.

Team Leader Lisa Lewis started the local team of Moms in Motion, a global group connecting women through fitness, fun and philanthropy, in August 2007. Group members meet weekly to train and enter races to raise money for philanthropy projects.

Lewis said the women – who are not all mothers – value the “tremendous” friendships they develop and are rewarded by volunteer work they perform in the community. Support from teammates also encourages women to achieve their personal goals, she said.

“We celebrate our successes together,” Lewis said. “Everyone is there to realize their individual goals, but we have team goals.” 

One of those team goals is to work closely with Caring Unlimited to empower women to make changes in their lives, Lewis said. Moms in Motion decided to work with the organization because of the services it provides to women looking to escape violent situations.

“It’s very focused on getting women to a point where they are independent,” Lewis said.

When Moms in Motion initially approached Caring Unlimited about volunteering, a list of needed services was put together in “the blink of an eye,” Lewis said. Moms in Motion has raised money and public awareness, as well as donated items to the shelter while growing closer to each other, she said.

“We understand the impact domestic violence has on families,” she said. “It’s been humbling to see women pull together in a way you don’t see often anymore. It touches you.”

The group took charge of a project to refurbish the interior of an apartment used for families rebuilding their lives, Lewis said. The women repainted the apartment and brought in items to brighten up the space, she said.

“We wanted it to be fresh and warm and welcoming,” Lewis said. 

Kristen Koch of Buxton, who serves as the group’s philanthropic chairman, said members will participate in the Atlantic Plunge in Kennebunk on Jan. 1 to raise money for Carling Unlimited. Moms in Motion also put together 50 gift bags for women to be handed out at the Caring Unlimited holiday party. The gifts include candles and beauty care items, she said.

“A lot of times, the women get left out,” Koch said. “I think it’s really important to acknowledge their roles in getting their families to a safer place.”

Sue Chantigny, a Moms in Motion member from Biddeford, said participating in the group has allowed her to make new friends while giving back to the community.

“Just giving back I see what I can do for other people. I love to give, it’s rewarding,” she said.

Cheri Poulin, a team member from Kennebunk, said working on the Caring Unlimited apartment was both fun and rewarding.

“I think it’s really powerful because all of us know no woman deserves to be that position,” she said. “To help moms take care of themselves is a powerful thing. It feels good to support them and give them what they need.”