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Date: 7/1/2022
BELCHERTOWN – When Natalie Santana brought her only child to the Belchertown Family Center three years ago, she had no idea the center would make such a dramatic impact on her life.
“I would not be the mom I am if I did not take my daughter to the center when she was just a year old. It’s where I met my entire group of mom friends. It’s where my daughter learned to engage with other kids. She learned so much there socially, mentally and emotionally,” she said.
The center welcomes children from newborn to 7-years-old along with their parents or guardians to stay, play and visit. “It’s an easy place for parents and caregivers to bring their children and stay with them. It’s not daycare. Kids meet other kids while adults make parent friends, and everyone enjoys themselves,” she said.
The center doesn’t charge a fee, but it does rely on donations and grants. That’s why Santana is organizing the town’s first ever Summer Block Party to take place on the town common from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23. Admission is free. Santana hopes the block party raises at least $2,000 for the Family Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“I really want to revamp the place and spruce it up. There’s a whole new generation of kids coming in. I want them to feel welcome and update the building itself,” she said.
There will be more than 30 vendors selling everything from clothes and handmade items to dog biscuits and clothing, seasonal wreaths, customized clothing, wood carvings and more. Everything is made by people from Belchertown and surrounding towns.
There will also be hands-on activities for children, including face painting, parachutes, twisted balloon animals, water tables, games and water spots so kids can cool off in the summer heat.
“Think of it as a big field day for kids, with shopping for adults,” she said.
The block party could attract hundreds of people, and while they’re milling about the town common, Santana hopes everyone gets the message the Family Center is there for them.
“It’s a fun way to bring awareness to the Family Center. I’m hoping people hear about it at the block party and go check it out. I want to turn it into a town wide facility,” said Santana.
The center has a long shopping list that includes flowers and plants for the borders outside the building, a new paint job, toys and a sand box. Santana thinks the block party is a fair way to raise money that pays for what the center needs.
“I want to make it 10 times as amazing as it is right now,” she said. “I’m forever going to be grateful to that establishment.”