Members of the Blue Star Mothers of America NY Chapter 4 are pictured with a truck care packages to be sent to soldiers serving overseas. Submitted photo

The Blue Star Mothers of America NY Chapter 4 is accepting donations for its 2024 Military Christmas Care Package Drive.

Both monetary and material donations are being collected, including hand-signed cards and letters. Items particularly sought are beef jerky, protein bars, peanut butter, dried fruit and trail mixes, water enhancers, pop-top lid cans of fruit, soups and meats, and hand lotions, wipes and sanitizers. Monetary donations will be used for the purchase of additional items needed and for postage to send the packages to our deployed troops around the world. Handwritten notes and cards are always a favorite of the men and women who receive these care packages, and civic organizations, schools, youth groups, and individuals are especially invited to participate in this way.

Since its inception during World War II, the Blue Star Mothers organization has existed to provide support for active-duty service personnel, to promote patriotism, and to assist veterans’ organizations in communities. The Blue Star Mothers organization is composed of mothers who now have or have had children honorably serving in the U.S. military, along with an associate membership of extended family members and friends. As mothers of the men and women in the armed forces, the Blue Star Mothers work to encourage and support American troops.

What began in 2008 as a small but meaningful packing of less than 50 care packages, the local chapter’s Christmas Care Package Drive has now grown to nearly 1,000 boxes at Christmas alone. In addition to Christmas, the chapter sends several hundred more care packages throughout the year, bringing the total for 2023 to about 1,500 boxes.

“This is an accomplishment for which this chapter is not only proud, but tremendously grateful, having been accomplished through the support of an extraordinarily generous community,” chapter officials said in a news release “With each box costing around $14.50 to mail, the postage is burdensome – but again the community has come through with monetary donations to cover this expense. And this year, the Blue Star Mothers are confident that once again the community will rally to the cause in providing some much-needed encouragement and joy for those military persons who will not be home for the holidays.”

The deadline for donations is Thursday, Dec. 5, and individuals and organizations are welcome to assist with organizing donations beginning at 5 p.m. that day at Fluvanna Community Church. The public is also welcome to pack boxes on Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. For more information on being involved, text or call Kathy at 716-450-5593. Also being sought are names and addresses of military persons who are deployed overseas for this holiday season. Recipients of the Blue Star Mothers care packages need not be Chautauqua County residents, but addresses must be accurate and verified. To submit a name, or for any questions, email collverkathleen@gmail.com, or phone or text 716-450-5593. Monetary donations may be sent to Blue Star Mothers NY4, PO Box 22, Jamestown, NY 14702.