[Washington D.C.] – The annual gala event, Blue Star Celebration, marked the start of three major Blue Star Families campaigns to reinvigorate public support for military communities: Blue Star Outposts, 15 for 15, and a national volunteer activation. Each will aid the largest Chapter-based nonprofit supporting military families in the United States, Blue Star Families, in developing a wider reach of contact with and support for military and Veteran families, as well as laying the groundwork to help secure the future of Blue Star Families for its next 15 years.
Among noteworthy organizations in attendance for the evening were CSX, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, AARP, BAE Systems, Booz Allen, and the CJM Foundation. Blue Star Families also recognized the Defense Health Agency with the Civil Leadership Award and TriWest Healthcare Alliance with the Constance J. Milstein Philanthropic Award.
“For my colleagues and I at TriWest — nearly all of us being members of the military family — we have been privileged to be engaged in supporting the government in fulfilling her commitment to those to whom we all owe so much,” says TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO David J. McIntyre Jr.
Blue Star Families announced the establishment of Blue Star Outposts coinciding with the recently announced Do Your Part campaign. Blue Star Families Chapters are enormously popular and there is great demand from the community for the network to grow. Outposts are a first step in creating relationships in the community to bring the programming and opportunities that Blue Star Families provides.
Blue Star Outposts are part of the Do Your Part campaign, which aims to address the challenges faced by military families, helping to make military life more sustainable. Newmark pledged to support a Blue Star Outpost in the district of each Congressional Quality of Life Panel member. Congressional members receiving Outpost locations in their district are:
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)
- Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
- Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
- Rep. James Moylan (R-GU)
- Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)
- Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), ex officio
- Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ranking Member
- Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
- Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-WA)
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
- Rep. Don Davis (D-NC)
- Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), ex officio
Similarly, the 15 for 15 campaign, launched at Blue Star Celebration, is designed to mark the 15th anniversary of Blue Star Families by obtaining 15 commitments, each valued at $1 million or more, to support the organization’s overall growth and sustainability. The first three commitments — together valued at $5 million— were announced October 26, 2023, from TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and craig newmark philanthropies.
Under the Do Your Part campaign, Newmark’s most recent commitment will enable Blue Star Families to create and expand volunteer opportunities in ways that meaningfully engage more Americans to directly support military- and Veteran-connected families in their communities. “It took me years to understand,” says Newmark, “But, now I have a clue about the burden of frequent relocations and what military families endure when that happens. Now I take this personally, and I’d like to help make things better.”
The three major announcements, in one evening, accelerate the efforts by the growing, multi-sector organization and its Do Your Part coalition of changemakers that come together to deliver more impact for those who volunteer to serve and their families.
“We’re recognizing the very serious times military families find themselves in now, and we’re celebrating the partnerships and the Americans who want to Do Their Part,” says Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Blue Star Families’ goal is to transform how Americans support military families so that we, as military families, can be ready to do the big job we have to do for this country. With these commitments, Blue Star Families is armed to accomplish this goal. As we look to our 15th year, we need our civilian friends and neighbors more than ever.”
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About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest Chapter-based military and Veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human centered design and innovative solutions. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $200 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people each year. For more information, click here.
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