Published: December 16, 2024
2024 was a year for the books at Blue Star Families! We not only celebrated our 15th anniversary of making a real impact for military and Veteran families, but we also experienced explosive growth, including the opening of a brand new Chapter in Puget Sound and the launch of several new programs aimed at supporting military families and ensuring they have what they need to thrive in their communities!
As we reflect on another year of serving our members and their communities, let’s look at a few programs and events that stood out this year and left a lasting impact.
1. Blue Star Museums
Every year, active-duty personnel and their families can access any Blue Star Museum with free admission from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. This year, families had the opportunity to explore more than 1,500 museums and cultural sites nationwide. These experiences offered families a chance to unwind, connect, and learn together while honoring the contributions of our military community. The program continues to be a beloved tradition, offering a wonderful way for families to enjoy the summer and make lasting memories, all while discovering the richness of our country’s cultural heritage.
2. Blue Star Outdoors
Our Blue Star Outdoors team found ways to make getting outside even more doable for our members! This year, the Blue Star Outdoors team hosted 130 events in 15 states, and will continue to grow in 2025! These events include admission, exclusive tours, different types of recreation, and in some cases, even gear! Some of the most memorable Outdoor events include:
- An overnight camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, where two families spent six days camping with the Blue Star Connect Outdoors team and Wilderness Inquiry.
- Families learned basic skills for survival in the “How to Survive Winter” class held in Cripple Creek, Colorado, by Blue Star Connect Outdoors.
- Outdoor Explorers for All took a trip to the Golden Pond Planetarium in Tennessee at Land Between the Lakes. Many, new to outdoor recreation, gathered for a solar eclipse presentation where kids were in sleeping bags, stargazing glasses on, captivated by the lecture. This showcased the program’s impact in connecting families and inspiring a love for the outdoors.
- Wilderness Inquiry, our trusted outdoor partner, brought their Canoemobile Program across the country to many of our Chapter locations and our Blue Star Connect Outdoors locations.
3. Welcome Week
In 2024, we were thrilled to host more than 300 Blue Star Welcome Week events — up from 233 events held last year! Our Chapters, partners, and volunteers went above and beyond to welcome new families with various exciting activities, including fun-filled trips to Legoland, casual Coffee Connects at local Starbucks, and many more creative gatherings. Our digital team also made waves by organizing engaging webinars in the Blue Star Neighborhood in collaboration with AARP and a unique virtual Dungeons and Dragons-themed event that brought together members from Chapter locations and beyond. It was an unforgettable week of connection, fun, and support for all involved!
4. Fleet Week in Miami & New York
Blue Star Families headed to New York City and Miami, Florida, for Fleet Week in May, where Sailors and members of the Blue Star Families team celebrated together! In New York, everyone got together at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown New York City for a night of music and fun, and a little girl and her family were treated to a Broadway show — a long-time dream of hers!
In Miami, 1,800 U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen were treated to a “Rock the Fleet!” concert, with multi-Grammy Award-winning musical icon Gloria Estefan headlining the event! The performance was held at the PortMiami Terminal, where service members gathered for a night of music, celebration, and camaraderie. Gloria Estefan, known for hits like "Conga" and "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," energized the crowd with her timeless Latin-infused pop hits, bringing an infectious energy to the festivities. The concert was part of an annual event to honor the military and strengthen the bond between the armed forces and the community.
5. Stars, Stripes & Holiday Wishes
Blue Star Families’ Chapters host Stars, Stripes & Holiday Wishes events yearly during the holiday season. This special event honors junior enlisted families, wounded warrior families, and Gold Star families — those who have lost a loved one on active duty. Stars, Stripes & Holiday Wishes spotlight the military child, recognizing the unique sacrifices they make as part of a military family. Each year, Blue Star Families welcomes hundreds of attendees to celebrate these young heroes with presents, crafting, and even a visit from Santa Claus!
We have even more plans for making military life awesome for our members in 2025! Stay tuned for exciting new events, programs, and initiatives that will support and celebrate our military families. We can't wait to share all the ways we'll continue to honor your service and bring communities together in the year ahead!
Posted In: Our Stories