ABOUT US

The group was started by three St. Monica's parishioners, Mary, Tonia and Carla, who all had sons deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Blue Star Fan Club was officially formed in July, 2005. It grew to include others with daughters and sons who are serving both at home and abroad as well as several who don't have family members serving. All are welcome and appreciated. In 2005, we began our annual participation in the Fall Festival and started up our first Christmas Stocking drive. It was a great success. We managed to collect enough items as well as funds to ship them. As troops are submitted to us, either they are already deployed or are deploying, we send a deployment package. It contains an anointed blanket and prayer cloth, a rosary if Catholic, cool tie, prayer book, some puzzle books, a card and other small items. We also send a Transitioning Home package when we learn that a troop has come home. This package contains a signed by the author copy of the book "Down Range: To Iraq and Back", a welcome home card signed by the group and some other small items. We participate in several St. Monica's Church functions including the Ministry Fair, the Fall Festival, a LIFE Event during Stewardship weekend and an Advent event. As a group that supports not only the military personnel themselves but their families here at home, we meet quarterly for dinner. We continue to grow, change and expand in a variety of ways that support our troops and their families.