©2011 Blue Star Moms of Marin
Blue Star Moms of Marin
Proudly Supporting Our Troops,
Their Families and Our Veterans
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
September 7th, 6:30 pm
Marin Power Squadron
789 Hamilton Parkway
Novato CA 94949
Installation of New Board
NEXT BOARD MEETING
August 31st, 6:00 pm
Barbara Travis’ Home
162 H Lane
Novato CA 94945
UPCOMING DATES
General Meetings:
All held on the first Wed of the month, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Marin Power Squadron, Novato
Wed., Oct. 5th / Wed., Nov. 2nd / Wed., Dec. 7th
All members and guests are welcome. Speakers/Activities to be announced /
Board Meetings:
All held on the last Wed of the month from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Marin Power Squadron, Novato /
Wed. Aug. 31st / Wed., Sept. 28th / Wed., Oct. 26th / Wed., Nov 30th
Events:
Joint Board Meeting (New Board and Former Board) / Wed., Aug., 31st / Barbara Travis’ house, Novato
Installation of New Board / Wed., Sept. 7th / 6:30-8:30 pm Marin Power Squadron
2011 National Convention / Aug. 9th-13th / Blue Star Mothers of America, Washington DC
Wings Over Wine Country Air Show / Aug. 20th-21st / Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa
Military Exhibition / Sat., Aug. 27th / 11 am-2 pm Marin Historical Museum, San Rafael
Armed Forces Career Day / Wed, Sept. 14th / 11 am-3 pm College of Marin, Kentfield
Veterans Day Celebration / Fri., Nov. 11th / (More Information to Come)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT:
To the Blue Star Moms of Marin and Our Supporting Community,
Thank you Blue Star Moms of Marin for the opportunity to serve as the President of this wonderful organization for the past 2.5 years. Since founding our chapter in early 2009, I have come to realize how important we are to each other, our children, our troops, our veterans and our community. It started as a small idea to get a few moms together and have coffee and send care packages and grew into a very important organization with a very important mission. I am proud of what we have accomplished. It was not always easy but with our children in mind we perservered and became stronger for the challenges we faced.
I have met and made friends with some very special people that have made this world richer just by being in it. I have seen the importance and the strength of giving. I have tried my best to be worthy of the faith that so many of you have put in me. I hope that I have made the lives of our members, our troops and our veterans a little bit better with caring and kindness.
As I turn the leadership of the chapter over, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all those that have stood by me and the Blue Star Moms of Marin and helped in forming the foundation of the Blue Star Moms of Marin. I can proudly say, Job Well Done. I wish the best for the new board and I want you to know that I will be here to support you in any way that I can.
I believe in the importance of continuing this organization for many years to come.
Sincerely & With Much Appreciation,
Barbara Travis
Founder and Outgoing President
The Blue Star Moms of Marin
“THANK YOU BLUE STAR MOMS OF MARIN for your generous gift of appreciation that I received at the 4th of July BBQ. It has been my sincere pleasure to assist you in your great mission. I have enjoyed meeting you all and have felt enriched by your caring for our military. I will enjoy the gift certificate at Boca’s with my wife, Barbara, as soon as she has turned over the Presidency and has a free minute. Thanks again and let me know if I can be of any help in the future.”
Sincerely, Guy Travis
RECENT EVENTS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: A warm welcome to new Blue Star Moms; Andrea Patten, Darla Lesley, Jane McLaughlin,
Julie Fritz, Kathie Lubey, Renee Mohr. Also joining us are new moms Janice Hooper-Cunningham and her mother, Consuelo Hooper. Welcome back a former member, Kathleen Kirkpatrick. We currently have 48 Members and 10 Associate Members, for a total of 58. Wow, 9 new members!
NEW 2011-2012 BLUE STAR MOMS OF MARIN BOARD: Congratulations to the newly-elected Board of the Blue Star Moms of Marin. They will be installed at the Sept. 7th general meeting.
CO-PRESIDENTS: Barbara Bochner and Marilyn Spoja
1ST VICE-PRESIDENT: Debbie Countouriotis
2ND VICE-PRESIDENT: Robyn Moss
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Suzy Rice
TREASURER:
RECORDING SECRETARY: Sharon Daugherty
As you can see we still need a Treasurer to complete our board. Anyone that has experience with QuickBooks or any accounting background, we need you! Email Barb Bochner or Marilyn Spoja at info@bluestarmomsofmarin.org if you are interested. It is not a huge commitment, but one that is needed.
RECENT GUEST SPEAKER: Steve Countouriotis was the speaker at our June meeting. He shared his vast military experience with us as well as his insight into his many tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you very much for sharing with us. It was a very informative evening.
MEMORIAL DAY: We participated in a wonderful ceremony on Memorial Day 2011 at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. The theme of the morning was honoring our fallen and the importance of remembering that this holiday is about the sacrifices so many have made for our freedom. Blue Star Moms of Marin presented a lovely wreath (thank you, Rima, for arranging this). We also introduced the families of our fallen soldiers as they presented wreaths as well.
FOURTH OF JULY: July 4th was a wonderful day of celebration for our country and the Blue Star Moms of Marin always join in. For the third year, we walked/rode in the huge parade in Novato. We met early and decorated Guy’s truck in red, white and blue. We put on our Blue Star Mom shirts, put up our banners and carried our flags down Grant Ave. where thousands line the street to watch. It was great publicity for our chapter and it was great fun for the moms, husbands and daughters that came out. We were honored to have SPC KATIE GORDILLO, recently returned from Afghanistan, join us. We felt proud to represent the Blue Star Moms of Marin and all that we have accomplished in our two short years.
BBQ: After the parade we spent a lovely afternoon in the grass area behind the Power Squadron with our moms and our families and a few guests. The food was outstanding as usual, thank you Chuck Becker for the pulled pork. Thanks to all who came to set up, decorate, organize, bring food and clean up. It was a very rewarding day. Our landlord from the Power Squadron, Al Coddington (left), gave a very moving toast to the Blue Star Moms. It is through Al’s generosity that the Blue Star Moms are able to have a complimentary meeting place. A special thank you gift was given to Guy Travis (right) for his hard work and dedication to the Blue Star Moms, as well as the use of his business warehouse and office. The gift included a beautiful handmade card done by artist, Cathie Becker. See more pictures attached below.
INVERNESS POST OFFICE DEDICATION TO FALLEN HERO ARMY SPECIALIST JAKE VELLOZA: The Blue Star Moms of Marin attended the very moving ceremony to rename the Inverness Post Office in honor of Inverness native Jake Velloza who was killed in Iraq. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Brigadier General Gary Medvigy, Captain Russell Toll and other honored guests spoke emotionally to Jake’s parents and the many attendees. It was an honor for Barbara Travis, Rima Hardy and Lynn Tross to represent the Blue Star Moms of Marin. Jake will forever be remembered in the tiny community of Inverness that loss one of its own.
JULY WELCOME HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS
July was an outstanding month of welcoming home 3 of our hometown soldiers from deployment in Afghanistan. We share with you some photos of these very joyous occasions. All members are welcome to join us when we Welcome Home our troops. There is nothing better that we do than to come out and show our support for these young men and women that have been out there on the front lines risking it all for our freedom and our country. We put up banners and flags and wave and salute them as they come home, we meet them at the airports and on the overpasses and at their homes with open arms, and we join our communities to come out and honor them. Please contact Barbara Travis at btravisbsm@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining us or if you have a service member coming home.
SPC KATIE GORDILLO: Welcome Home, Katie! Warriors Watch Riders and Lynn Tross, Blue Star Mom Rima Hardy and her family, Several Blue Star Moms, Gold Star Parents Susy and Bob Velloza, and Several Patriot Guard Riders were on hand to surprise Katie at the airport and escort her home to San Rafael. It was a wonderful event. After a year as a combat medic in Afghanistan, Katie (standing center) and Family were so glad to see each other. It was an honor to be there to thank her for her service to our country.
LCPL JOSH LAPPIN: Welcome Home, Josh! Blue Star Mom Julia Lappin organized a fabulous welcome home for Josh. Home from Afghanistan, Josh was welcomed by the local high school cheerleaders, the police and fire departments, the American Soldier Freedom Riders (a wonderful group of ladies on horseback), Blue Star Moms, Warriors Watch Riders, family, friends and neighbors. They even put out refreshments for all those that showed up.
A great day for the Lappin family!
CPL GARY TRAVIS: Welcome Home, Gary! A last-minute notice for a big Welcome Home for my nephew Gary Travis. Home from his second year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan, we pulled together lots of supporters to come out. The Warriors Watch Riders and some Blue Star Moms surprised Gary at the airport and escorted him home to Novato where there was a large crowd waiting to thank him for his service. The American Soldier Freedom Riders that wonderful group of ladies on horseback that come out to honor our soldiers were there and gave Gary a ride on their horse! Mom and Dad had snacks for everyone and were so happy to have Gary home safe.
WELCOME HOMES AND DEPLOYMENT ESCORTS: See Warrior Watch Riders (page 5) for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
COFFEE NIGHTS: We have a fairly new activity in support of the Blue Star Moms of Marin. Associate Member, Wendy Hart, is scheduling and hosting COFFEE NGHTS. After talking about this for 2 years, Wendy has volunteered to take charge of this social event. Thanks, Wendy! It’s a great time to visit and get to know some of the other members in a more relaxed setting. We would love to see you all there.
SPECIAL COFFEE NIGHT AT TINA MOHN’S
Monday, August 15th, 6:45-8:00 pm
1832 Virginia Avenue, Novato
Please RSVP to wendyhart2@yahoo.com
WINGS OVER WINE COUNTRY, SAT., AUG. 20TH AND SUN., AUG. 21ST: This is a fabulous Air Show held at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa every year. The Blue Star Moms of Marin attended last year for the first time and had a great weekend. Not only is there an outstanding air show, but it is a good time to network with the military and veteran community. The first person we met last year came up to our booth and said, “I got a care package from you. Thank you so much. You don’t know what it meant to me.” Our booth was positioned on the hill with all the military folks. It was a great time to get the word out about the Blue Star Moms of Marin and have some fun. This year, it will be held on Sat., Aug. 20th and Sun., Aug. 21st. Contact Robyn Moss at robyngmoss@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering to man our Blue Star Moms of Marin information booth. For schedule, directions, and more information, see event website: http://wingsoverwinecountry.org/
Military At War! Opening August 27th
THE MARIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM will be hosting a Military Exhibition on Sat. Aug. 27th at 1125 B St., San Rafael.
The military played a prominent part in the development and growth of Marin County. Marin’s unique landscape provided ample opportunities for military defenses designed to protect the Golden Gate from enemy fire and attacks. Opening Aug. 27th, Marin At War! will tell the story that Marin has played in defending our home front as well as being an essential base for the wars in the Pacific. The exhibition will begin with Marin’s earliest military efforts in the Mexican-American Wars and the Civil Wars, continue through the turn of the century and our roles in WWI and WWII, and conclude with our efforts abroad in the foreign wars.”We have been asked to host a BLUE STAR MOM booth at this exhibition from 11 am-2 pm on Sat. Aug., 27th. Anyone interested in volunteering to man our information booth email Barb Travis btravisbsm@yahoo.com .
ARMED FORCES/LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER DAY. WED., SEPT. 14, COLLEGE OF MARIN: This is a great opportunity to spread the word about for the Blue Star Moms of Marin and perhaps collect some donations or items for care packages. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Rima Hardy at rima.hardy@gmail.com.
CARE PACKAGES
BLUE STAR MOMS OF MARIN HAVE SENT OVER 2,500 CARE PACKAGES TO OUR TROOPS!
CARE PACKAGE RECIPIENTS:
If anyone has a request from the troops for care packages, please submit it to Barbara at bluestarmomsofmarin@gmail.com .
SEND IN YOUR NAMES! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM!!
THE COLLECTIONS GROUP: We are primarily focused on collection of care package items at places of business or organizations. We will contact these groups, provide the decorated containers/flyers, pick up the donated items at the businesses and thank these donors. We are keeping a binder that has the forms, contact lists and copies of the thank you notes in it and will bring the binder to the meetings. If you have suggestions for business or organizations that might be interested in helping us, please contact one of us on this committee: Marilyn Spoja at mpspoja@aol.com, Barbara Bochner at BBLW25@comcast.net, or Suzy Rice at Suzy.rice@comcast.net
PACKING PARTY, WED., AUG. 3RD: The general meeting this month was a wonderful night. We had 7 new members, families and friends join us for our elections and then a HUGE PACKING PARTY. We packed many of the donated Girl Scout cookies, snacks and even Beanie Babies for the children of Afghanistan. Thanks Wendy Hart and Lindy Schmitz for the food and drinks. Extra food was homemade by new member Janice Hooper Cunningham. All hands were busy with sorting, packing, writing customs forms, thank you cards and enjoying the socializing. We hope to do many more of these in the coming year. Thank you, Barb Bochner and Marilyn Spoja, for organizing the event. They learned that it takes a long couple of days to put this all together. The shopping, sorting, bringing the stuff from the warehouse, set up, take down and more. They are looking for a couple of organized moms willing to take on the Packing Party committee (or maybe several moms that might want to trade off every other packing party).
MAILING DAY, FRI., AUG. 5TH: A great group of 7 moms, 1 son and 1 soldier (Randy Engler, Laura Machado’s son) showed up to label and mail the 110 boxes that were packed and ready to go. Thanks to all, we made quick work of this and they are on their way to the men and women serving around the world! A GREATJOB, WELL DONE. Thank you, Marilyn, for learning the ropes from Barb Travis. Marilyn and Barb will also be looking for someone to take over the mailing of care packages committee!
COOLING SCARVES: We have a number of members making cooling scarves and knitted items on their own time to send overseas. We keep the items for the next season so keep up all the great work, our soldiers will be needing this items for many months to come. You can get the instruction on our website www.bluestarmomsofmarin.org under “How You Can Help.”
IMPORTANT CHAPTER INFORMATION
The New Board of Directors will be looking for committee chair people. We can only continue the programs if people step up and run the committees as well as volunteering to work the projects. Contact any of the new Board Members if you are interested in a leadership position in our chapter. We are currently looking to fill the following positions.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS: CARE PACKAGE PACKINGS, MAILINGS, WEBSITE, SUNSHINE COMMITTEE, SOCIAL EVENTS, MAKING COOLING SCARVES/KNITTED ITEMS, PUBLICITY, NEWSLETTER and VETERANS AFFAIRS
WE HAVE BLUE STAR MOMS PINS AND CLINGS! We have Blue Star Moms of Marin pins and clings available for our members and supporters. The pin shown says “SUPPORTER,” and we also have pins that say “MOM.” If you are interested email info@bluestarmomsofmarin.org . A donation of $5 or more for pins and$6 or more for clings would be greatly appreciated!
HOSPITALITY: We need volunteers to bring snacks and drinks to the September and October general meetings. Please email info@bluestarmomsofmarin.org if you can help out.
NEW STORAGE FACILITY STILL NEEDED FOR THE BLUE STAR MOMS OF MARIN: We moved all our items to Empire Storage nearby at 425 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. This will be great for storage, but not so good for packing and it will cost us a monthly rental fee. Ideally, what we need is something a lot like the Travis Remodeling space that we have been using. We need an area for storing things, we need an area for working on the sorting and packing of the care packages, and we need an area for working on customs forms. If anyone knows of space available either donated or for rent, please let us know. I am sure if the word of our need gets out in the community we can find something.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: DON’T FORGET…contact Barbara at btravisbsm@yahoo.com if you know of any company or organization that you think may have an interest in supporting the Blue Star Moms of Marin, or who are just wanting to find out more information about us. This is an important way to get the word out to the community about who we are and our mission to support our troops, their families and our veterans.
FACEBOOK: You can join us on facebook! We have pictures, upcoming events, news and more on our facebook page. Become a friend of the Blue Star Moms of Marin!!!
MEMBERSHIP: Don’t forget to renew your membership for the 9/1/2011-8/31/2012 year. It’s easiest to go online to http://www.bluestarmothers.org/ to sign up and pay online, or you can send your $20 renewal fee to: Blue Star Moms of Marin. PO Box 5684. Novato, CA 94948. MEMBERSHIP SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE: We have a sponsorship fund to help any mom that cannot pay the $20 membership fee. It is confidential and very simple. Just send an email to president@bluestarmomsofmarin.org to receive a membership scholarship.
PHOTO BOARDS: We need to get our Photo Boards redone! SEND US YOUR PICTURES OF YOUR MILITARY CHILDREN! We have photo boards with pictures of our children that we take to our outreach events (such as the air show, the museum display, Safeway collections, general meetings, etc.). It is wonderful for the community to be able to put a face to our troops that are serving from Marin County. AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO SHOW OFF OUR CHILDREN.
Please email your photos to our resident photographer, Alberta Buller at absea711@yahoo.com or send to
Alberta Buller, c/o Blue Star Moms of Marin, PO Box 5684, Novato CA 94948.
OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
WARRIORS’ WATCH RIDERS: Warriors’ Watch Riders is a volunteer organization dedicated
to honoring all of America’s Uniformed Heroes – Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Veterans, and First Responders. Recognizing them all equally for the Heroes that they are.
Warriors’ Watch Riders provides motorcycle escorts to “Welcome Home” service members coming home on leave, or at the end of deployment; leaving home for deployment or relocation; family and community Welcome Home celebrations; escorts for wounded warriors from the
airport to hospital and hospital to home; escorts and honors for veterans’ funerals and any Heroes fallen in the line of duty.
There is never any charge for Warriors’ Watch Services! We are volunteers and perform our military and family support activities at our own expense and on our own time. Your serviceman or woman has already paid the price!
The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are the finest generation of young Americans that our country has ever produced. The Warriors’ Watch Riders envision a day when every member of the United States Armed Forces, at home and abroad, and their families feel appreciated, honored, respected and loved by the citizens they risk their lives to protect. NEVER AGAIN WILL AN AMERICAN WARRIOR BE SCORNED OR IGNORED.
For more information or to arrange an escort, visit the Warriors’ Watch Riders website at http://www.warriorswatch.org/ or contact Blue Star Mom Associate Member, Lynn Tross at 415-806-2901 or lynntross@sbcglobal.net. Lynn is the coordinator for all the escorts in the North Bay. Contact Barbara Travis btravisbsm@yahoo.com to have the Blue Star Moms come out as well.
VASH: There is now a VASH office conveniently located in Marin in The New Beginnings Center just down the street from the Power Squadron (next to the Marin Airporter). They are currently in need in bath towels/washcloths, personal toiletries, kitchen appliances, cooking utensils, cookware, dishes, clock radios, etc. For more information, please contact:
Michelle Funez Arteaga, LCSW, Senior Social Worker, HUD-VASH Program, Marin County,
New Beginnings Center, 13939 N Hamilton Pkwy, Novato CA 94949,
Phone: 415-350-4182, Fax: 415-382-1246, Email: Michelle.Funezarteaga@va.gov
SPECIAL THANK YOUS!!!
GIRL SCOUTS: On June 29th, the BSM’s of Marin were the beneficiaries of the Girl Scouts of America’s generous donation of 500 cases of cookies to be sent to troops overseas. The collection committee of Suzy Rice, Barb Bochner and Marilyn Spoja were the liaison to set up this transaction. The Girl Scouts put us in touch with a shipper who, at no cost to us, delivered to Empire Storage 3 pallets (each piled 7 feet high) of assorted Girl Scout Cookies. The storeroom that BSMs, in their infinite wisdom, secured to house supplies that are gathered from various efforts for our packing sessions, took a big increase.
With only one last-minute call out for help; a stalwart and hard working crew showed up early in the day, cooperated to disassemble the 3 palettes and transport the cases of cookies into an organized group in the store room. Many, many thanks for the good cheer and energy of Debi Gutierrez, Barb Bochner, Marilyn Spoja, Tina Mohn, and her crew of kids: Nikki Mohn, Hailie Wise and Christopher Bova, who also received recognition for summer community service hours. It is heartening to see how we can step up to the plate and make a difference. I know there will soon be upcoming shipping days where these cases of cookies will become welcome, home reminders, to our deployed troops, and that they are well appreciated by the Girl Scouts and BSM community. Thank you for making this an easy activity. – Submitted by Marilyn Spoja, BSM Collection Committee.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE NEXT MEETING
Directions to the Marin Power Squadron general meeting place:
From the North: Take the Ignacio Exit. Cross over the freeway and go right at the light. On the frontage road, go past the Hamilton Marketplace heading south, turn left at the street just past Safeway onto Hamilton Pkwy. Building is just past the stop sign at Palm Dr. on your right.
From the South: Take the Nave Dr, Hamilton exit. Turn right into Hamilton on Main Gate Parkway. Bear left onto Palm Dr. Turn right at stop sign when you reach Hamilton Pkwy. Building is on your right at the corner of Hamilton Pkwy and Palm Dr.
Parking: There is extra parking around the far left side of the block and the church behind the buildings.
Directions to the Warehouse:
From the North: Take the Hamilton Field / Bel Marin Keys Blvd / Nave Dr. Exit. Ramp circles to the right. Turn right onto Ignacio Blvd. Go .1 mile and name changes to Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Go. .6 miles and arrive at 524Bel Marin Keys Blvd is on your left. Empire Storage unit #631
From the South: Take the Ignacio / Bel Marin Keys Blvd Exit. Turn left at the light onto Nave Dr. Turn right at the light onto Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Go .6 miles and 524 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. is on your left.
Parking: There is street parking in front and a parking lot behind the building.
CONTACT US:
General info email to give out: info@bluestarmomsofmarin.org
Barbara Bochner/Marilyn Spoja, President: president@bluestarmomsofmarin.org
Visit our website at: www.bluestarmomsofmarin.org Pass this on to family and friends!
THANKS TO OUR MANY DONORS, INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATIONS LISTED BELOW, FOR MAKING US SUCH A SUCCESS: Joe Garbarino and Mario Ghilotti, American Legion Posts 179 and 37, Corinthian Yacht Club, County of Marin, Fairfax Masonic Lodge 556, Kiwanis Club of Novato, Melissa Bradley Real Estate, Marin County Motorcycle Association, Marin County Retired Officers Wives Club, Marin Republican Women, Men in Mission, Native Sons of the Golden West, Novato Chamber of Commerce, Novato Druids, Novato Lions Club, Novato Realtor Group, Presidio Yacht Club, Rip City Riders, Rotary Club of Ignacio, Rotary Club of Ross Valley, Rotary Club of Tiburon/Belvedere, San Rafael Knights of Columbus, Unity in Marin Church, Vietnam Veterans of America Ch. 547, and Widowed Persons Association of California, as well as personal and company donations from supporters throughout Marin County. We couldn’t have done it without them.
NAVY SEAL LOSS: It was a tragic loss of life this past weekend for the families of the fallen, our Navy SEAL community, all our troops and our nation. Please take a minute to remember those that have sacrificed all for our freedoms today and every day. If you wish to donate to the families of the fallen you can go online to the Navy Seal Foundation, www.nswfoundation.org
SEND OFFS: Our love, prayers and safe wishes go with our deploying troops, as well as those who are serving in combat around the world.
WE HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE
Blue Star Moms of Marin, PO Box 5684, Novato CA 94948-5684
www.bluestarmomsofmarin.org