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November 2016 Blue Star Moms – Proud Parents Providing Support By Jody Morgan
Serving the Lafayette Community Pet Co-op By Fran Miller
Pet sitting fees can surely add up quickly. Whether Fido is boarded or a sitter comes to the home, dog and cat owners know that vacation Blue Star Moms (BSM), Chapter 101, was established in 2001 shortly after the Twin plans often include a hefty budget appropriation for pet care. Lafayette Towers fell. The Moms honor the achievements of their own offspring who are serving residents Kristina McCann and her friend and neighbor Christine in the United States Military, Veterans, or Fallen Heroes through an ever-increasing Bhatkar think there is a better, more affordable way for local pet owners variety of missions from carefully coordinated care packages to programs for Gold Star Parents and events supporting Veterans as well as active duty military personnel. Once a month members from across the East Bay gather at Danville’s Veterans Memorial Building to commune with others who understand what it means to spend every day with their hearts on the line. The Blue Star emblem originated with a service flag designed by Army Captain Robert L. Queisser to display his pride in his two sons engaged at the front during World War I. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson approved the request by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war be permitted to wear a gold star on their black mourning armband. Eventually, the gold star was also placed over the blue on banners displayed by parents across the nation whose children had died in combat. Blue Star Mothers of America, of which BSM is an official chapter, was founded during World War II. Care packages from home are always appreciated by those with boots on the ground around the globe. BSM assembles and ships at least 1,500 boxes each year. Travel-size toiletries are packed in quart bags. Snack size treats and similarly sized protein products are also separately bagged. Socks are important, especially in areas where sand and grit chew through fibers and can’t be washed out. Warm hats are good in cold climates. Asked by an embarrassed Captain with all women under his command if they did special packages for ladies, the Moms answered, “Absolutely!” The next major shipment, Holiday Hugs, to find pet sitting that replicates the warm, hospitable vibes of home. “Whether it’s a vacation, a longer than normal day at work, or a short weekend trip, wouldn’t it be nice to have a resource for trading pet care that was mutually beneficial to you, your pet, and the person you task with the ‘favor’ of pet-sitting?” asks McCann, who, with Bhatkar,
See Co-op continued on page 15
Blue Star Moms pack and ship 1,500 care packages a year. (photo courtesy of BSM)
will be sorted and sent December 3rd. Other major shipments are made for Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July. Better Homes and Gardens Realty, 630 Danville Boulevard in Danville, offers space year round for collection of appropriate items. Special requests are honored as they are received. Jana Clark, 1st Vice President, says, “As Moms we can’t hear about a soldier who’s cold or hasn’t had a package from home without doing something about it.” Responding to a call from a Special Forces unit serving in Afghanistan, BSM vacuum-sealed two blankets to a care package. Seventy-two boxes were air dropped to the unit. Jana has spoken to some of the grateful recipients who still cherish their blankets. Christine McCracken, Recording Secretary and Care Package Co-Chair, relates: “While my son was at boot camp, there was one young man whose family did not approve of his choice in serving our country. They refused to provide him support through
See Moms continued on page 14
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette, CA
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The Acalanes High School students pictured above are starring in Youth Musical Theater Company’s Into the Woods November 11-19. The students are doggedly pursuing musical theater for college and career. They have been very involved in the local theater scene at Town Hall and school and other companies. Pictured left to right are Fiona Warburton, Grace Guichard, Michaela Sasner, and Joel Braunstein. To purchase tickets to the show at El Cerrito High School, visit www. ymtcbayarea.org.
Volume X - Number 11 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher
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