The Lake Highlands community currently has eighty known military families who have children or spouses who are serving this country and making the sacrifice to preserve our freedom and safety.

When they are deployed to the Middle East or to other volatile areas of the world, they leave behind their families who constantly worry for their safety.

Those waiting patiently at home are often overlooked and forgotten although their lives are affected as well.

To recognize and to support the women in the Lake Highlands Military Moms who have deployed children or spouses, a new project has been started that invites area cafés or restaurants to sponsor an evening of relaxation and dining for those with deployed family members who are currently in harms way.

The first sponsor in this new project was Sweet Temptations Café.

Hans and Clare Van Loenen, the owners of the well-known cafe, have been long time supporters for the Lake Highlands military.

The restaurant, located at 9090 Skillman, has featured the LH Heroes Poster since it first was released in 2008 and has showed ongoing support of those who serve from this area.

The restaurant became the first to reach out to the women in the Lake Highlands Military Moms by providing the first evening of relaxation and dining to show their support for the women.

Ten members of the LHMM were treated to a lovely evening of dining recently. A very special room was set, and a warm welcome was extended to the special moms. Each table was adorned with flowers and one large vase held beautiful roses for each mother to receive.

The Van Loenens served the mothers a carefully selected full course meal and presented an array of their signature desserts.

Their support and love for these women and their children’s service was evident throughout the evening.

LHMM member Peggy Moore said in a letter to the Van Loenens, “Words cannot express how much it meant to be able to gather together at the Sweet Temptations Café and for the many kindnesses that you presented to our group of ladies.”

The special evening of dining will be held twice a year to honor those with deployed children and spouses.

The next evening of dining event is scheduled for October.

Restaurant owners who wish to participate may contact Rhonda Russell by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information or for sponsorship.

Lead photo: (Front Row; L to R) Paula Tharp, Peggy Moore, Teresa Kelly, Tanna Badger (Back row, L to R) Marion Witt, Rhonda Russell, Carol Hargis, ST Cafe Owner: Clare Van Loenen, Lea Beach, Sharon Simpson & Anita Artt.