Blue Star Families of Central Virginia

The Blue Star Families of Central Virginia (Chapter VA-1, Blue Star Mothers of America)  is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit and multi-racial support group. Our mission is the following:

• Support fellow Blue Star members and their friends and family members who are serving  or who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
• Share educational information to benefit the members and their families.
• Support our military personnel through various service activities including the mailing of CARE packages throughout the year.
• Support Military Working Dogs and their handlers worldwide.
• Support Veterans Organizations, activities and events.

We conduct bi-monthly casual meetings and share stories and information about our service members, their work and taskings. We discuss what we have learned about the military such as: what to expect when your son/daughter graduates boot camp, places to stay when visiting military installations, how long you will get to  see your loved one, etc. Also, when they are deployed, we share: What we have  learned about sending packages, When to expect a phone call, How to send  mail, etc. On occasion we have guest speakers addressing issues of concern.  We learn so much and find tremendous support and understanding from each other.

Blue Star Families of Central Virginia was  formed in the early spring of 2003 as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  One Army Ranger mom, Joanne Cochran, had recently moved to Charlottesville,  Virginia from California. Joanne was familiar with a Blue Star Mothers organization in the Bay Area. Out of her need for strength and support from other military families, she started searching for military support groups and  found none in our area. So, she decided to start her own chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America!

A small group of  five mothers gathered at a local restaurant to plan and finance our fledgling  organization. They wrote personal  checks to purchase items for our initial CARE package mailings. Since that time, the group has steadily grown. Our membership includes families with  loved ones currently serving in the US military as well as those who have retired or separated from the military.  We also have associate members who do not have a child in the military but are dedicated to serving our military and veterans. 

We are currently involved in many areas of our community.  Members

• Participate in Salute to Hometown Heroes (Carter Mountain)
• Participate in "Our Community Salutes" (honoring graduating high school seniors who are entering the military upon graduation)
• Volunteer with Freedom 5K and 4 Our Freedom 5K
• Coordinate with churches, schools, and companies in the Charlottesville area to support our deployed military
• Volunteer at the Richmond USO
• Volunteer at the Salem Veterans Hospital
• Mail CARE packages to deployed military five times per year
• Support Military Working Dogs and their handlers worldwide.