Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1477292
Family Matters | Executive committee | Blue Angels | Reciprocal club 22 WAC Magazine | wac.net Family Matters Executive committee Blue Angels Reciprocal club Club Life Family Matters Kumi Baruffi Tony Baruffi Niko, age 15; Mika, age 11 Kumi and Tony Baruffi have been getting the most out of their WAC memberships for years. ey each joined the Club individually over 20 years ago and had their first big date at Jubilee in 2000. ree years later, they wed. Tokyo-raised Kumi initially joined the WAC for business lunches and events. Now, she says, the Club is a home away from home during family outings downtown. "Once I became a mom, the WAC became a haven to rest and relax," she says. "As the kids grew, it became our go-to hub for family activities, like Father Son and Mother Daughter events, birthday parties, swim lessons, and summer camps." For Tony, originally from Bellevue, a favorite WAC activity is boxing classes. Kumi loves Club Programs' selection of theater tickets, the Inn at the WAC, and Christmas at the Club—especially family photos with Santa! Niko and Mika have "grown up at the WAC," Kumi says. "Both kids went to WeeWACs and grew up learning to swim in the 6th Floor pool, and Mika loves Juniors Swim Club." Gillian Fears Ashley Fears Preston, age 5; Ford, age 2 Gillian and Ashley Fears joined the WAC together a year ago and quickly became Clubhouse regulars. Gillian grew up a member and avidly participated in family events, including Mother Daughter brunches with her mother and grandmother. Now with a family of her own, Gillian is excited to keep the WAC tradition going. "I grew up going to the WAC, and we were there a lot," she says. "Ashley and I wanted the same for our kids, too." e Fears family has jumped into making family memories at the Club. Some early favorites include the Halloween Bash and the spring petting zoo. "It's great to have a place to take the boys and let them get their energy out, especially during the winter months," Gillian says. Gillian and Ashley also enjoy cocktail date nights and winemaker dinners at the Club. Gillian is also an avid swimmer who routinely swims laps at Helene Madison Pool and shoots hoops in the 8th Floor gym with Preston and Ford. C O U R T E S Y P H O T O ( 2 )