Blue Star Mothers coming to Buffalo-Niagara - YNN, Your News Now

Amherst, NY - Inspired by her sons Ryan, who is serving in Iraq, and David, who is serving in Afghanistan, Catherine Chapman of Amherst is starting a Buffalo-Niagara Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America.

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Blue Star Mothers coming to Buffalo-Niagara - YNN, Your News Now

"This is our way of saying thank you to those men and women who have answered the call and have stepped up to the plate and who do believe in what they're doing," said Chapman.
The Blue Star Mothers are mothers who currently have or have had children honorably serving in the military. Chapman learned about the organization after her sons enlisted. She joined a chapter in Chautauqua County in March around the same time she lost her job. It was then she decided to focus her energy on starting one in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
"It's well worth it," said Chapman. "It's been a lot of work but it's been a lot of fun too along the way, and I've met some absolutely wonderful people."
Blue Star Mothers are more than a support group. They collect items for care packages and have a "Greetings from Home" campaign as well. Chapman sews pillowcases with the goal of putting one in each care package. "This helps to boost their morale to know that somebody really cares, and we're not forgotten and we're not doing this for nothing," said Chapman.
Blue Star Mothers also tend to the needs of veterans. Chapman expects to complete the Blue Star charter application Tuesday night. That's when she'll encourage others to join the group at an informational meeting at 7 p.m. at the American Legion on Amherst Street in Buffalo. For additional information people can visit www.NY7BuffaloNiagaraBSM@yahoo.com.
"This has helped me personally to be able to, like I said, not only give back to the troops and show them appreciation, but it's also helping me to understand that I'm not alone in this," said Chapman.
Chapman proudly flies her flags and displays a blue star banner in the window of her Amherst home, one star for each son. She's looking forward to sharing her patriotic pride with a new chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America.

Stars and Stripes at Old Navy

In conjunction with Old Navy's annual Support our Troops event in Grand Junction, The Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers have an informational table available while also collecting care package donations. Anyone who brings an item into the store that is listed on the GVBSM item list and donates it to the Blue Star Mothers will receive a coupon for 10% off their Old Navy purchase.

New Military Support Group Created in WNY

Catherine Chapman of Amherst and Christina Ball of Royalton are two proud mothers. Chapman has two sons serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and Ball's son Jeffrey just completed a tour of duty in Iraq, and in now based at Fort Drum. The mothers have now teamed up to create a new chapter of The Blue Star Mothers of America in the Buffalo Niagara Region. The national non-profit organization consists of mother who have children serving in any branch of the military and helps support them and their families. Organizers of this new chapter hope to link up with other groups to send care packages, cards, letters, and other items to our servicemen and servicewomen who are serving overseas.

New Military Support Group Created in WNY | WKBW News 7: News, Sports, Weather - Buffalo, New York | Local News

wgrz.com | Buffalo, NY | Amherst Mom Starts Local Chapter of Military Support Group

With 2 sons deployed, Catherine Cunningham of Amherst wanted support from other local Moms who had kids overseas but quickly realized the closest local chapter of the Blue Stars Mother's Organization was in Chautauqua County... so she started a new chapter for Erie and Niagara counties.
The Blue Star Mother's Organization was started in 1942 in Flint, Michigan by a few mothers' who were looking for support while their sons were overseas. Throughout the past years, the group has grown to encompass other family members. The group is known to collect items for care packages to send to troops, hold meetings for emotional support during deployment periods and ultimately, bring families together that are dealing with relatives serving in war.


wgrz.com | Buffalo, NY | Amherst Mom Starts Local Chapter of Military Support Group