DES MOINES, Iowa — The Blue Star Mothers of Iowa are asking Iowa State Fair visitors to write cards for deployed soldiers’ care packages.
Established during World War II, the Blue Star Mothers is a non-profit that supports mothers who have children deployed in the U.S. Military. The organization advocates for families, raises funds for soldiers and their loved ones, and provides shoulders to support each other.
“When moms can’t wrap their arms around their children, we wrap our arms around them. We’ve gotten calls specifically this week from moms who have never gone through this before, and the minute they realize their children landed in another country, that’s when reality hit them,” said April Conway, Iowa Blue Star Mothers.
“They’ve called some of us more experienced moms in deployments. And no matter how many times you go through it, I’ve been through this a lot. It doesn’t get any easier.”
One of the group’s functions is preparing and sending care packages to soldiers across the seas. Iowa faced its largest deployment in 15 years this year, meaning the number of care packages has skyrocketed. A group that usually sends 500 packages during the holidays is now hoping to send 2,700 in a few months.
The care packages contain needed toiletries like deodorant and toothbrushes, miscellaneous items like chargers and sunscreen, comfort foods and classic Iowa snacks, but most importantly, some loving words from home.
“We have Christmas cards, postcards, coloring sheets for children that are too young to write letters, that we ask you to come in, fill out one or two whole family can do it, too. And we have a box. We’d like you to do that. Put it in the box, and we are going to include those in every single care package,” said Conway.
“Because the number one thing we’ve heard from our soldiers that have been deployed and come back is that the notes, and the words of love from home, is what they treasured the most.”
The Iowa Blue Star Mothers are also hoping to raise funds for the boxes. Donated supplies are appreciated, but Conway says it will cost around $25 to ship each box, which comes to about $77,000 for everyone.
You can view a list of items you can donate here. Visit the Iowa Blue Star Moms just past the main gates at Crystal Studios on the Grand Concourse.
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