Blue Star Moms Seeking Donations During Holidays

Blue Star Mothers says it needs your help to brighten the holidays for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The group sends care packages to the soldiers, but says the recent ice storm has put a damper on donations.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports Blue Star moms was not able to send out as many packages in time for Christmas as they would have liked to, but they hope some much-needed donations will help them get there by New Year's.

Ninth-grader Hailey Hughes showed up on Saturday with a shopping cart full of supplies to donate, and even stuck around to put a few freedom boxes together.

"The heroes is Iraq just deserve a merry Christmas," said Hughes.
 
Blue Star Mothers hope others share that sentiment.  The thousands of freedom boxes they send out each year include, food, toiletries and other items, but the group has run out of some of those items, including toilet paper, socks, noodles, envelopes and toothbrushes.

Blue Star Moms say the ice storm has led to fewer donations, leaving them in some serious need of certain supplies.

"I attribute a lot of it to the ice storm because people were coming in very steady until the big storm hit, and of course you've got to take care of your own families, so we understand that," said Gaye Beatt of Blue Star Moms.

Members say they were able to ship out 1,000 packages before the ice storm hit, but would like to send several hundred more to Iraq and Afghanistan.  They worry they won't be able to do that without donations.

"They'll help us out again. They're good, generous, kind-hearted people in Oklahoma," said Beatt.

Gaye says the packages are especially important this time of year for the troops who are unable to make it home for holidays.

"They do look forward to them, and they don't get to take off when the weather gets bad, so we've got to keep sending them and letting them know that we support them," said Beatt.

If you would like to make a donation, you can stop by their office near 21st & Sheridan.