NORFOLK, Va. - Sunday, hundreds of mothers and their children will gather to celebrate Mother's Day together.
Joy Ministries has made it their mission to give women who may not be able to celebrate the holiday on their own a place to feel special on their day.
Nearly 1,500 single moms, widows, military moms whose husbands are deployed, and their children attended the event at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside.
Staff spoke with News 3 about the event.
"On Mother’s Day, it’s usually the father who plans something special for mom," Krystle Francis, the church's event coordinator, said. "In a single parent home, there is no one there to make mom’s day special; as a single mom, you don’t even have the finances to do something for yourself. Many widows are left alone on Mother’s Day for various reasons. Sometimes their children live in other states, and in some cases their children don’t maintain contact with their mother even if they live in the same area."
The celebration will feature women from all walks of life.
"We have ladies coming from local homeless shelters, housing projects, assisted living facilities, as well as many professional women," Francis said.
The moms will get a five star meal and a chance to meet other moms.
“To fellowship with other single mothers, to share our stories to be one another strength in their time of nee," Karsha Reeve, who has attended for three years, said.
They also get a Mother's Day gift and "words of encouragement".
If you are able to celebrate Mother's Day with your own family, but would like to sponsor one of the families attending the celebration, you can do so here.
