Blue Star Mothers reach out to those in harm’s way Published Feb. 11, 2015 By Ryan Stark Nucleus staff KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Anyone who has been deployed knows that a box of stuff from back home -- letters, candy, newspapers, green chile or just a tube of toothpaste -- is an instant morale booster. The local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers makes sure that armed forces members get that boost. Care packages are a big part of what the organization does. Blue Star Mothers Rio Grande Chapter President Carol Sanchez said participating in the chapter's activities helps those left behind help friends, relatives and loved ones who are deployed. As the mother of a Navy corpsman, she knows the feeling personally, she said. "As a parent, it's always hard letting go," she said. "You feel helpless and need to do something." Sanchez said there is a sense of camaraderie among the volunteers. "It's a great group of people," she said. "They know what you're going through." Blue Star Mothers is a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1942, with the Rio Grande Valley Chapter getting underway in 2004. Membership is open to the parents and former legal guardians of armed forces members. Associate memberships are available for non-relatives who want to support the Blue Star Mothers' work. "We have a lot of (non-member) volunteers who see when we're having a packing day and just want to come out and help," she said. The care packages the group sends start with address lists of deployed armed forces members. They come from many sources, including members' families, military commanders and others. The group gathers periodically to pack a wide array of items like tuna, jerky, coffee, canned fruit and trail mix. New Mexican touches can also include green chile and salsa. Aside from the thrill and usefulness of getting a package to a deployed service member, Sanchez said that it also puts the families at ease. "It's expensive (to send a package)," she said. "A lot of people can't afford postage or the items to fill up the box." The chapter also sets up welcome-home ceremonies for service members returning from deployment. Members will greet the returnees at the airport, often with advance notice from various Kirtland agencies and the families of those who are returning. Additionally, the chapter also raises money for local veterans organizations. The Veterans Integration Center, the Henderson House and Paws and Stripes are among the local nonprofits for which the chapter has collected money in support of their respective missions. To learn about volunteer, membership and donation opportunities, go to the local Blue Star Mothers' website at www.rgvnmbsm.org.