About Blue Star Mothers Of America
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is a non-partisan, non-political organization. They do not support any political candidate nor endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization.
We are mothers who now have or have had children honorably serving in the military. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 service organization supporting each other and our children while promoting patriotism.
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (Chapter 5) is authorized by the U.S. Code: Title 36; Section 943 as of January 26, 1998.
Contact Information of Blue Star Mothers
SEND SMILES FROM HOME WITH A GREETING CARD:
Chapter 5 will send greeting cards for holidays and birthdays throughout the year. Bring your cards unaddressed and unsealed to Postal Solutions: 4733 Torrance Blvd, Torrance., clearly marked for Blue Star Moms.
The next greeting card promotion is Spring/Easter/Passover cards – Deadline 3/28/09.
Birthday cards can be dropped off anytime and we will ensure a military person receives a birthday greeting on their special day.
Chapter 5 2009 Officers:
President: Nancy Rayner 1st VP: Marlene Saunders 2nd VP: Rebecca Alfassa
Treasurer: Gail Chavez Secretary: Deborah Jordan
Chaplains: Kathleen Sibert & Susie Zimmerman
Blue to Gold Liaisons: LA – Kathleen Sibert & Susie Zimmerman Orange County – Susie Rodgers
CARE PACKAGE ITEMS For Troops and Hospitalized Vets
WE CAN ALWAYS USE YOUR DONATIONS!
If you donate in-kind gifts, please consider a donation for postage to ship these items. One package costs $12 to ship. We are now using PayPal to accept your online donations
Monetary donations are always welcome. We always use our donations wisely and a recent (Feb 2008) report based on calculations from our financial secretary reveals this breakdown:
- Direct Support to the Military = 78%
- Administrative Expenses = 14%
- Fundraising Expenses = 7%
We are proud that this percentage of our expenses go to meet our sons and daughters’ needs. You can learn more about charities and how they rate at www.charitynavigator.org.
Thank you very much for helping our troops know how much you support them.
What should you put into a CARE Package?
We do not need books, magazines or tolietries at this time.
Christmas / Holiday suggestions – Please note all holiday boxes are usually shipped by November 17 each year, giving the packages plenty of time to arrive! This deadline is per the US Postal Service. We continue to collect items to ship all through the year and these donations are always appreciated.
OVERSEAS Troops’ CARE PACKAGE & CHRISTMAS PACKAGE SUGGESTIONS
Christmas lights small boxes
Small plastic Christmas ornaments
Christmas Stockings filled with fun items
FOOD ITEMS:
Food / Snack Items individual sizes are the best
No Home-Baked Goods
No Perishable Foods
No Pork Products
Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Good Ground Coffees (Starbucks, Peets, Its A Grind, etc)
Creamer and sweetener and sugar packets
Flavor herbal or regular tea bags
Pre-sweetened powdered drink mixes (Crystal Light, Gatorade, etc.)
Hot Chocolate Packets
Hot Cider Packets
Tuna or Chicken Creations / Lunch Kits with condiments
Small plastic bowls to heat microwavable items
Pop Tarts, Breakfast Bars, Instant Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat packets
Granola Bars or Cereal Bars
Breath Mints
Fruit Snacks (roll ups or gushers)
Chocolate only between November and April
Girl Scout Cookies
Cup a Soup or Easy Mac (individual servings)
Nuts – small cans or packets
GROOMING SUGGESTIONS:
Good razors & shaving cream (for the guys & non aerosol)
Body wash or shampoo (small sizes)
DVDs (TV series, comedy movies, NO VHS tapes please)
Good quality boot socks for women and men
Boxer Type underwear – all sizes
Disposable Cameras
Batteries all sizes in original packaging especially Lithium 123 size for flashlights
Lady’s underwear – small to medium sizes, 32” – 34” support bras
FUN ITEMS:
Hand held games or board games (small travel size)
Puzzles & word game books (small travel size)
Recent Tabloid magazines only (STAR, People, In Touch not older than 3 months!)
Squishy Balls, Squirt Guns, Velcro Darts, Nerf footballs, (any small sport type)
OTHER/MISCELLANEOUS
Zip Lock Baggies (snack and sandwich sizes)
Service men and women love getting any mail – even if it is just a letter with a funny photo or comic strip in it.
Office Depot or Staples Gift Cards to purchase office supplies to keep administration costs down.
Four to Five storage boxes to keep supplies clean. Size: 27-1/8” x 16” x 12-3/8”
Notes:
– Please do NOT send more microwave popcorn, hard candy or gum. I believe we have enough to feed all of Iraq.
– We also do NOT need anymore playing cards or bar soap.
– Please do NOT send alcohol or pornography It is illegal – soldiers can get in trouble.
Try www.MOTOMAIL.us if you have a military person’s address. These letters arrive within a couple of days and are great to open right after a mission.
PRAYERS were on almost every request.
At this time, we are no longer accepting paperback books.
ITEMS FOR HOSPITALIZED VETS
Marked Hospital:
- Tide Laundry Detergent ONLY (small boxes to store in hospital room)
- Large Bath Sheet Towels (solid colors ONLY)
- Swiffer refill pads
- Albertsons Gift Cards (this store is within walking distance of the hospital)
- Outback Steak House Gift Cards
- Best Buy Gift Cards
- Hooded Sweatshirts M, L, XL, 2XL sizes
- Breakaway Pants – easier to dress with injuries. M, L, XL, 2XL
- CDs and Held Electronic Games & Cartridges
- Batteries all sizes
- Athletic t-shirts: no sleeves – gray or black all sizes
- New outer wear T-shirts (not underwear) all sizes
- Zip-up, hooded sweatshirts – grey or black – all sizes
- 120-minute prepaid phone cards
- DVDs
- Electronic Games & Players (hand held)
- Puzzle Books
- Cards of encouragement – marked “Injured Vet”
Note: If you donate in-kind gifts, please consider a donation for postage to ship these items. One package costs about $10 to ship. We are now using Paypal to accept online/credit card donations. See home page for donation area.