By Jen Jones
The local Blue Star Mothers group is made up of mothers , sisters , grandmothers and others who want to provide support for all local veterans , whether they are serving in the U . S . or abroad .
Sharon Burns , president of the local group , said their main focus is on local veterans and those who are still serving . “ I would like everyone to know that it ’ s not true that a service person or veteran has to have a family member as part of our group for us to help them . We would love for anyone in the community who has a veteran or service person in their family to give us their address so we can include them .”
Boxes are usually shipped to those serving overseas including noncombat areas , and cards of love and support are sent to those serving here in the U . S .
“ We just want our service people to have someone tell them , ‘ Thank you . We are thinking about you , and we love you ,’” Burns said .
One thing they do for local veterans is help those who are going on an Honor Flight by providing a meal and paying for a hotel room
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near the Columbus airport the night before their flight . “ The flights leave so early that this gives them a chance to visit and get a good night of sleep before they leave ,” Burns said .
The group is in the process of trying to purchase new rain gear for the color and honor guards . “ We have the money for the coats , but thanks to COVID , we ’ re having trouble finding someone to sell them to us . But I think we might have finally found a place ,” Burns said . “ We are so blessed by our local community . They are constantly helping us . The Elks received a $ 1,500 grant , and they gave it to us .”
The group has special plans for that grant but isn ’ t ready for them to be announced yet .
“ This year at the fair , all of our raffle items were donated by local stores ,” Burns said . “ And we had people stopping by the whole time , buying raffle tickets to support what we do . We had our first Veteran ’ s Appreciation Picnic on Sept . 11 . We didn ’ t have as many veterans as we hoped , but there was so much going on that day .
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The Elks presented the Blue Star Mothers with a $ 1,500 grant . Pictured are Blue Star Mothers members Sharon Burns and Irene Stubbs with Elks representative Marilyn Griffiths .
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The Blue Star Mothers recently elected the following new officers : Sherry Mikesell , treasurer ; Irene Stubbs , financial secretary ; Sherry Cullison , secretary ; Lisa Cutshall , first vice president ; Sharon Burns , president ; and Becky Bowden , third vice president . Missing from the photo is Second Vice President Lynn Leach .
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Hopefully , we ’ ll have more next year .”
For more information contact any Blue Star Mother
or call Burns at 740-502- 0169 . “ We help any local veteran that has an emergency or immediate need .”
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BY APPOINTMENT ONLY THIS YEAR Morrow ’ s Tree Farm Open Thursday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
Starting Nov . 26 - Dec . 19
Please call 740-294-4075 to make an appointment ! BF-00535036
BANKRUPTCY |