BLUE STAR MOTHERS CA 30 SUMMER/FALL NEWSLETTER 2015

Transcription

1 BLUE STAR MOTHERS CA 30 SUMMER/FALL NEWSLETTER 2015 City of Corona 4th of July parade We carried several banners down Main St. led by our Gold Star Mothers Vicki Castro and Teresa Bullock.

2 NATIONAL BLUE STAR MOTHERS CONVENTION CLEVELAND OHIO 74TH ANNIVERSARY In August we made the trek to Cleveland to attend the outstanding National Convention. We met moms from all over the country, visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and heard National Spokeswoman Cindy McCain speak. Pictured at the dinner party are L-R Recording Secretary Katherine Negrete, Treasurer Christy Payne, 1 st VP Moira Fisher and 3 rd VP Teresa Bullock. Teresa Bullock, Christy Payne and Katherine Negrete rocking out!

3 Election of Officers was held September 14. Our new President is Veronica Wheeler, new 1st Vice President is Moira Fisher, new 2nd Vice President is MaryAnn Sherman, new 3rd Vice President is Teresa Bullock. Reelected in their current positions were Recording Secretary Katherine Negrete, Financial Secretary Lorraine Camire and Treasurer Christy Payne. We were awarded a grant of from the Carl Karcher Foundation through their Stars for Heroes program. This program bestows money to veteran s service organizations through funds donated by patrons at individual Carl s Jr. restaurants. The restaurants in the Inland empire greatly supported this program and we received a portion of the grant money. L-R Katherine Negrete, MaryAnn Sherman, Carlos Torres and Dana McClure of Carl s Jr., Veronica Wheeler, Moira Fisher and Lorraine Camire.

4 On October 17 the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Norco held the Inland Empire Navy Ball commemorating the 240 th birthday of the Navy. L-R Christy Payne, Michelle Connelly, Lorraine Camire, Annie Lara, Moira Fisher, Veronica Wheeler, Teresa Bullock, MaryAnn Sherman and Katherine Negrete. To the left is Congressman Ken Calvert. Below left are City Councilwoman and former Mayor of Corona Karen Spiegel with president Veronica Wheeler. Board Members L-R Katherine Negrete, MaryAnn Sherman and Lorraine Camire volunteering at the registration table.

5 Sergio Banales, Mason Rodriguez, Josh Wheeler and Moira Fisher weighing and stacking almost 200 boxes In November CA30 shipped over 200 care packages to troops in the Middle East and Africa. With food donations from SAMs club patrons, schools in the Colton School district plus a private donation to cover the shipping costs, we were able to send much needed food, blankets, socks and toiletries to our brave men Joey Banales with an early morning smile Geni Kromberg matching the correct paperwork with the correct package With a crew of members, husbands, their children and high school volunteers, many hands made light work and we had a productive and fun day!

6 We are privileged to live close to the Riverside National Cemetery, one of the largest National Cemeteries in the country. Every Saturday before Veteran s Day and Memorial Day,along with hundreds of other people, we place flags. Here we are November Members MaryAnn Sherman, Annette McKenzie and Lorraine Camire accompanied by some wonderful Target employees VETERAN S DAY VETERAN S DAY

7 Nixon Library Honors Military Families December 2015 Blue Star Tree Gold Star Tree Marcy and Mason Rodriguez with stars they made for Matthew Army and Mitchell Navy A gorgeous day on December 7, 2015 in Norco to honor the anniversary of December 7, We were graced with the presence of a handful of survivors. Blue Star dad and councilman Dick Haley gave a wonderful speech that included a Thank You and Welcome Home to the many Vietnam Veterans in attendance Financial Secretary Lorraine Camire, John Busma, a survivor, President Veronica Wheeler and 1st Vice President Moira Fisher

8 Chapter 30 with National President Judy Dorsey in the middle and Corona FD at the top of the stairs Above left Mason and Marcy Rodriguez. Above right Veronica Wheeler, Capt. Jim Steiner and National President Judy Dorsey

9 Above left Annie Lara Above right National President Judy Dorsey and CA30 3rd VP Teresa Bullock with Capt. Jim Steiner and members of the Corona Fire Department Above L-R Teresa Bullock, Keri Prunty, Tammy Summersgill, Katherine Negrete, Veronica Wheeler, Moira Fisher, Kim Weiks-Campbell and Valerie Holmes. On the right are the Board members for

10 LOMA LINDA VA HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Annette McKenzie and hospital employee enjoying the buffet lunch generously provided by her brother. Above Lorraine Camire, Val Holmes and Wanda Williams keep lunch running L-R Lorraine Camire, Chairman Valerie Holmes, Wanda Williams, Moira Fisher, Annette McKenzie and Phyllis Kates. This luncheon is a wonderful way for any Blue Star Mother to kick off her holiday season

11 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT VERONICA WHEELER Hello Blue Star Mothers! I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Moira Fisher for putting together this awesome newsletter for The Summer and Fall of It was a busy time for us, with some really nice events and also many that allowed us to honor the men and women who have served and those that currently serve our country. We ended the year with a fun Christmas party with special guests, Judy Dorsey, our BSM National President and also some of our local CA 3757 firefighters including Capt. Jim Steiner. This has been a year of transition for our group, with our Past President Teri Figueroa, stepping down due to family health issues. We wish her all the best and will be forever grateful for all she has done. Special thanks to our board, Moira Fisher, Teresa Bullock, Christy Payne, Lorraine Camire, Katherine Negrete and newly elected MaryAnn Sherman for stepping up and helping make this an easier transition for us all. This year is already starting off very busy for us with some interesting events and our annual Blue and Gold Star Mother Luncheon next month. Please remember to RSVP by March 31st. I look forward to seeing you soon! Veronica

12 What We ve Been Up To National Convention in Cleveland August Elections for the year Collect Items for and pack Christmas Care Packages Inaugural Inland Empire Navy Ball Riverside Convention Center Placement of flags at Riverside National Cemetery for Veteran s Day Day of Remembrance at Norco College Veteran s Day ceremonies Valencia Terrace in Corona and Pico Park in Grand Terrace and others in Norco and Riverside Pearl Harbor Anniversary Memorial Annual Loma Linda Veteran s Hospital Christmas Party Barnes and Nobel Fundraiser BSM Annual Christmas Party at Veronica s Home Upcoming BSM Events Business meetings are the 2nd Monday of every month at our BSM office in Corona (doors open at 6:30 pm and meeting starts at 7pm) Rebuilding Warriors service dog presentation Feb. 20 Volunteer with YMCA at Chili Cook Off Feb th Commemoration of the Vietnam War at Ft. Irwin assist families finding names of their loved ones on the wall plus entertainment provided by Gary Sinese and the Lt. Dan Band March Patriot Ceremony March Air Force Base April 1 Annual Blue and Gold Star Mothers Luncheon April 23 Veteran s Parade in Riverside April 30 Armed Forces Day Theme Bunco May 21 Placement of Flags at National Cemetery on May 28 Memorial Day May 30

13 Support Red Fridays! To order online visit the website below: squareup.com/ market/blue-starmothers-home-ca30 Please note that online orders are shipped and the fee is automatically charged. The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. Links to our website do not represent an endorsement. We are a 501(c)3 organization registered in the State of California.