Blue Star Stories
An Interview with Zanade Mann, DEPLOY Fellow of the New York Tri-State Area
Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion is making significant headway in its second year, with a new cohort of DEPLOY Fellows taking on initiatives in various realms. The DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellowship Program is one of the five focus areas of the Campaign for Inclusion, and…
Read moreHave Yourself a Merry Holiday Season
Wow! Can you believe it’s almost Christmas already? The holiday season is in full swing, and I am sprinting, trying to keep up. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be a little stressful (okay, maybe a lot stressful). I will be the first to admit I feel like I’m…
Read moreStart the Conversation Now: Ways to Connect This Holiday
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes asking unique, engaging questions is just one of many ways we can better connect with neighbors, friends, and family. In a recent collaboration with Kohl’s, they created an innovative family health and wellness initiative, Kohl’s Healthy at Home. Along…
Read moreUsing Culture and Influence to Drive the Campaign for Inclusion
“At the age of 6, I was told to stop speaking Spanish,” shares Andrea Unzueta, San Diego DEPLOY Fellow for Blue Star Families. “They said, ‘This is the U.S., we speak English here.’ Play Now As a young, first-generation student, Andrea is no stranger to feelings of isolation. Her family immigrated from Mexico to California…
Read moreLeaning In To Military Moms’ Experience To Better the Community
Military moms hold a lot of influence, and for one of Blue Star Families’ newest recruits, they’re the reason she still stands. Play Now Mickia Freeman joins the 2022-2023 class of DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellows, serving the Tampa Chapter. She credits her mother and the countless…
Read moreAppreciation for a Life in the Military
Did you know that around 1% or less of the U.S. population serves in the military? This means many people don’t understand modern military life and the challenges and opportunities associated with it. Many civilians think only of war or deployments when they think of the military. But it’s far from just that! While we…
Read moreOne Way Veteran & Military Families Can Save Big on Your Holiday Groceries at Amazon
Did you know? In a 2020 study, one in seven enlisted military families reported experiencing food insecurity. Now more than ever, with the rising cost of food and the expensive holiday season in full effect, our Blue Star Partners, like the Amazon Community Access Team, are asking how they can help those in need. Together…
Read moreCelebration Serves Up New Favorites, Toasts Lifetime Friends
Can Celebration get any more magical? It’s a question fitting for a night that was put on pause for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Here are some highlights from Blue Star Celebration 2022. Leading with an Emcee VIP CNN broadcaster, Blue Star Families…
Read moreSalesforce Lends Tech Support in the Campaign for Inclusion
“I think it is always important to be able to see yourself reflected. When you see yourself reflected in Military Support Organizations, you feel included.” – Angela Alford, Salesforce DEPLOY Fellow Play Now In the midst of a pandemic, military spouse Angela found herself without a career or community. Her family had just transitioned from…
Read moreEveryday Hope for Service Families: The CSX Commitment
Since 2019, CSX has joined forces with Blue Star Families in their commitment to serving military and Veteran families. Currently, CSX sponsors eight of Blue Star Families’ 12 Chapters, including Chicago, Tampa, Jacksonville, New England, Tennessee, Dayton & Southwestern Ohio, Baltimore, and the National Capital Region. The newest addition, New England, will connect and engage…
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