Blue Star Families Rocks NYC Ringing NASDAQ Bell, Hosting Fleet Week

Published: May 22, 2023

Washington, D.C. Blue Star Families (BSF) and the Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter is thrilled to celebrate a significant new sponsor, CSX, who is announcing major year round support to coincide with Fleet Week. The week-long celebration in New York City begins as BSF rings the opening bell at the NASDAQ with the U.S. Navy (USN), Craig Newmark and culminates by hosting more than 500 U.S. Navy (USN), Marine Corps (USMC) and Coast Guard (USCG) service members at the Hard Rock Cafe.

“What is more iconic than Times Square, NASDAQ, and Fleet Week! New York City does an amazing job welcoming service members during Fleet Week, yet for service members stationed here and their families, New York City can be a tough place to find a sense of welcome,” said Kathy-Roth Douquet, BSF CEO and Founder. “The Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter is one of our original BSF chapters, and we are thrilled that this additional commitment from CSX will allow BSF to help our members access and enjoy the city, find support, and get help with key issues of food insecurity, care-giving, and career support.” 

“Our sailors, other service members, and their families work hard for us, return to our communities, and it’s our job to have their backs making them feel welcome,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and craig newmark philanthropies. “I’m so glad that the Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter will be getting significant support from CSX to do that! Everyone can play a role supporting our military – we need military families and they need us!”

CSX, through its Pride in Service initiative, is proud to support the BSF Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter in hosting the men and women of the armed services during Fleet Week,” said Bryan Tucker, Vice President of Corporate Communications, CSX. “CSX and BSF deliver fun-filled programs to military- connected families in the metropolitan area and nationwide to build stronger communities and help make military life awesome for everyone.” 

BSF is grateful to the USN, USMC, USCG, Army, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard and Reserve members and their families – who make the greater New York City area their home and are welcomed, served, and supported by BSF every day of the year. 

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