Blue Star Mothers Send Care Packages Overseas

Veterans Day was last week, but our troops are still in harm's way, with many more likely on their way overseas.

Fortunately, efforts continue to support veterans and military servicemen. The Blue Star Mothers of America, a nonprofit which works to support veterans and the mothers of those who've been sent off to war, organizes events for volunteers to package and ship gifts to overseas troops.

San Diego-based Chris Morrow filmed a Blue Star Mothers event in California for CNN iReport.

In the video, Blue Star Mothers co-founder Pam Woodward introduces the organization, and Sgt. Michael Scofield details the assortment of goods that can go in each customizable box.

For his shipment overseas, Scofield selects magazines, batteries, a DVD of "The Mexican" starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, coffee, sardines, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, loofahs (to which he remarks, "Our female soldiers will love this"), Mike & Ikes, gum and toothbrushes.

After filling up his package, Scofield encourages people watching the video to get involved in community action to support the military. "It's part of our country," he says. "It's what makes us great."

WATCH:

The Blue Star Mothers of America also work with Sew Much Comfort, a group which provides adaptive clothing to injured servicemen and women.

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Comments

[TJCole]

I've got a friend Doc in California a Vietnam combat veteran waiting in agony over two weeks now for a severe Hernia Operation the VA is bouncing him around and ignoring him...that's how we care for our Vets, another friend of mine froze to death last late October another Vietnam Vet, he had a presidential citation and group citation for saving pilots from the sea and behind lines and we let him freeze to death...his name was Skip...

We Care for our Veterans, what a bunch of bovine scatology...!

[stormbear]

Check out BooksForSoldiers.com to send books, DVDs and other care packages directly to the troops!

[jws2346]

Shoot, in my other post I meant to say being among the 1 1/2 million peeps sent to Viet Nam

[jws2346]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. While being one of the 1 1/2 peeps in 'Nam I can honestly say, next to bein' home, a care package from home does wonders for morale. Oh, did I say THANKS

[Balzac]

This continuity of support after Veterans Day is important to the military. It helps with stability and peace for civilians to support military personnel this way.

[fairywhatnot]

Can somneone post some links where ordinary people can get involved and/or send packages ?

[Balzac]

It's up above under the section "Make Your Impact".

[BenTD]

Check out the website http://www.anysoldier.com/ you where can find soldiers to directly mail care packages to. They list specifically what they need, what branch of the service etc.

[TabysGrandma]

You can connect your local VFW and Ladies Auxiliary along with other veteran organizations in your area. Our Ladies Auxiliary is busy working on getting care packages ready for Christmas which need to get shipped in the next couple of weeks and we are always looking for donations and help with these packages.

[CrapStormRising]

HuffPost's Pick

I have been involved in some of these efforts run by PTA Moms in schools. What I noticed was the reaction of the children involved alongside their parents. It makes them feel so important to be preparing packages for our troops, and they take it very seriously, and, work with great enthusiasm. They also love digging into the large bins of donated of junk food (even though they couldn't have any themselves)!

I don't have kids and I have no family involved in the military so I really enjoyed being part of the 'assembly lines' too.

[W i l l]

Madison Avenue's Veteran's Day 'sale' retail marketing is disgusting.

[lemondade]

thank you for this inspiring story. there is so much negativity in the news media; it is good to know there are people out and about helping others and being good human beings.

[lemondade]

thank you for the positive and inspiring news.

[lemondade]

it is so wonderful to hear that something good is taking place in our country. thank you.

[Blue Star Mother]

Thanks for the support of Blue Star Mothers of America. The organization has been around since 1942 and congressionally chartered since 1960. We currently have nearly 10,000 members in over 200 chapters nationwide. Care packages are one of the many ways we reach out to support our troops and veterans. The members are all mothers - in service through their military children.