EDWARDS AFB – The Antelope Valley Blue Star Mothers Chapter 14 visited Edwards AFB last week to deliver care packages for deployed Airmen.
The group came with 68 boxes filled with donated items, including snacks and hygiene products. Many of the donated items came from shoppers at the local Palmdale Sam’s Club. The Blue Star Mothers distributed shopping lists outside of the store and waited for shoppers that were willing to donate items from the list.
The care packages were then delivered to the Airmen and Family Readiness Center where they will be distributed to various units and then shipped to Airmen currently serving in deployed locations overseas. Each unit will cover the cost of shipping for their boxes.
“I just want to express our thanks and I can definitely see how this will improve everyone’s morale. I’ve never been overseas myself, but I know how sending little reminders or trinkets from home mean a lot when you’re deployed,” said Master Sgt. Valerie Vasquez, 412th Force Support Squadron, Airmen and Family Readiness Center NCOIC.
According to Blue Star Mothers President Sylvia Gaxiola, sending care packages to the troops is one of their main objectives, and their next mailing is scheduled for March. When they aren’t collecting items or packing boxes, the group hosts fundraisers to help cover shipping costs for their mailings. Gaxiola noted that each box costs around 17 dollars to ship.
“We love this country and we know the sacrifices that our troops go through,” said Gaxiola. “I’ve never been overseas, but I’ve been on the other end of having someone go overseas. I know how much this meant to my husband or son when they received something from home. My husband was from East Los Angeles and there’s a place out there that sells beef jerky by the pound. His mom and I would fill a box of it and send it out to him. That was something from home that he couldn’t get over there.”
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Peggy Starks says
I spoke to Sylvia on Monday, June 9th to inquire what type of items are needed to end to the troops. Our church donates to local organizations on a monthly basis and we wanted to include your group to help with the troops. We are having an event on Sunday, June 22nd from 10 am to 2 pm and would be happy to have you come out and let people know what you do for our troops. Many are not aware that there is a source where they can help. The event is The 2nd annual Health and Wellness Fair at the Antelope Valley New Thought Center located: 2231 East Ave Q, Palmdale, CA @ the Masonic Temple. Let me know if you would like to have a booth (no charge) or do a short talk or you can just stop by. Peggy – 661-878-2316
James Stouvenel says
Thanks Blue Star Mothers for staying committed to our troops here locally and abroad, the support you give is never ending, and very much appreciated, im sure our men in uniform are Grateful for the packages they get from you. thanks again.