Blue Star Mothers collecting items to send to troops

Blue Star Mothers collecting items to send to troops : Iraq War : Albuquerque Tribune: "Blue Star Mothers collecting items to send to troops By Stephanie Garcia Krenrich (Contact) Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Kevin Valdez, a Marine stationed in Iraq as recently as a few months ago, said a highlight of his tour was receiving a care package and finding a Transformer toy inside.
He always looked forward to the days when he'd receive a care package, Valdez said.
"It boosts your morale a whole bunch," he said. "You're happy to get something."
On Monday afternoon, Valdez was helping his mother, Pauline Valdez, put holiday packages together for Blue Star Mothers of America, a nonprofit organization that offers support to troops and their mothers.
Candy left over from Halloween, toiletries, canned food, towels, jerky, clothes, underwear, videos and other items were piled on shelves and tables at the Rio Grande chapter of Blue Mothers of America's warehouse, 2919 Second St. N.W.
Pauline Valdez, the chapter's package chairwoman, said the organization is preparing packages for about 300 troops. Each recipient will get two packages, one with toiletries and one with food.
"We learned that when we send them toiletries with food, they complained their food tasted like soap," she said.
Valdez's purse has pins with pictures of her two sons, both of whom are Marines. She said delivering care packages is close to her heart because of her family."