The staff and students at Ross Medical Education Center in Dayton, Ohio know that national organization Blue Star Mothers of America is a non-profit organization that’s been supporting our active duty military and veterans since World War II. Not only that , but the local group, Miami Valley Chapter No. 3, is one of the largest in the United States. Members include mothers of both active-duty military or honorably and medically discharged veterans as well as many friends and associates who support the organization’s mission including schools, churches, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, veterans’ organizations, and local community and business members.
Individuals support the cause by donating items to ship overseas, contributing money for shipping packages and purchasing supplies, and volunteering time at the Troop Center. “Most people don’t realize that our military does not get issued everything they need when they get deployed, and it is impossible to buy personal care items or snacks from a foxhole,” says Kim Schinder, chapter president.
Blue Star Mothers had a list of items they were most in need of, and the Dayton campus was more than willing to step up to the plate and assist! Some of the items included on the list were tuna foil packs and cans, tuna and chicken salad with crackers, small packs of nuts, ramen noodles, dental floss, sunscreen, men’s body wash, men’s lotion, medicated foot powder, men’s deodorant, cotton balls, chapstick, drink mixes, chewing gum, eye drops, hand sanitizer, small bottles of mouthwash, microwavable macaroni and cheese in cups, and microwavable potatoes and rice in cups.
At the end of their drive, representatives from the Ross Dayton campus enjoyed dropping off more than 100 donated items to the local organization. Members were so happy to receive the items and the Ross team was happy to be able to provide items that would have an immediate impact in helping members of the community.