A number of local mothers of military personnel are teaming up to try to make life better for locals serving overseas.
Lake Erie N.Y. Chapter 4 of Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. is currently holding its annual collection and donation drive to send care packages to troops serving away from home during the holidays. Thirteen collection boxes are set up throughout the county, and local Blue Star Mothers member Cecilia Nosel said the goal is to gather enough donations to send at least 200 boxes.
''It's a big effort - we have to label each one individually, put customs forms on them and pay to send each one off,'' Mrs. Nosel said. ''Last year, they sent between 80 and 100 boxes.''
Blue Star Mothers of America is a nationwide not-for-profit organization consisting of mothers of past and present members of the military. According to the group's website, its mission is to not only provide support for active duty service personnel, but to promote patriotism, assist veterans' organizations, and be available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts.
Mrs. Nosel, who has a son who is an active member of the Marines currently stationed in North Carolina, recently joined the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers. She said that in the drive, which will run through Dec. 2, the organization is aiming to collect as many items as possible that soldiers request.
''It's basic items, like games, books, packaged snacks like beef jerky, coffee, Chapstick, toiletries,'' Mrs. Nosel said. ''Different soldiers ask for different things.''
With the holiday season fast approaching, Mrs. Nosel said that it is important to realize that some soldiers don't receive anything from home to remind them of a better place.
''It's Christmas, so they like to get fun things from home - even if it's a letter,'' she said. ''Some of these service members are away from home for the first time, and some of them are in scary places.''
In addition to items to send overseas, the Blue Star Mothers are looking to collect addresses of local service members who may be in need of care packages, Mrs. Nosel said, as well as of monetary donations. Postage for each box shipped is about $13, she said.
Some local groups have already stepped up to the plate and donated monetarily, she said. The Southern Tier TEA Party Patriots raised $100 for the cause at a recent meeting, and Catholic Academy of the Holy Family recently gathered $50 as well.
Mrs. Nosel said the local chapter is looking for more mothers to join its ranks and share what support they can offer as well.
''It's an organization of mothers, and it's a way for these mothers to get together and feel like they can express their love, because mothers have a hard time with their child being away,'' she said. ''It's a wonderful way to vent - it's really hard to explain, but for mothers, it's just different.''
Meetings are usually bimonthly, Mrs. Nosel said, at various locations throughout the county. Any mother with a child who has served in the military is welcome to attend.
Collection boxes for the donation drive are out at the following locations: in Mayville at the Chautauqua County Office buildings; in Frewsburg at the American Legion, Zion Lutheran Church, Trinity Methodist Church and Robert H. Jackson Elementary School; in Kiantone at the Congregational Church; in Cherry Creek at the Sub Shop; in Jamestown at Starbucks and both locations of Farm Fresh Foods; in Lakewood at Luv Toyota; and in Westfield at Lakeshore Savings Bank and Tops Market. A monetary donation box is also set up at the Celoron American Legion.
For more information about donating to the drive or about joining the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, contact Candy Penrod at 679-6392, Sue Rowley at 569-9543, Barb Kittle at 326-3930, or Pam Goldych at 761-6542.
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