DEPARTMENT of OKLAHOMA
BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA
P O BOX 1265
SAND SPRINGS OK 74063-1265
918-814-2722

CURRENT DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

President Linda Lane
1st Vice President Judy Medlock
2nd Vice President Cindy Hood
3rd Vice President Nancy Wozencrat
Recording Secretary Dawn Smith
Financial Secretary Jo Weaver
Treasurer Cathy O'Shields
Sergeant-at-Arms Gayla Luna
Chaplain Patsy Varnell

2007-2008 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

President Patsy S. Varnell
1st Vice President B. Susan Hull
2nd Vice President Judy Medlock
3rd Vice President Terri York
Recording Secretary Linda Lane
Financial Secretary Sandra Bullock
Treasurer Betty Dobson
Sergeant-at-Arms Durenda Estrada
Parliamentarian Dixie Lee

2006-2007 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

President Patsy S. Varnell
1st Vice President B. Susan Hull
2nd Vice President Judy Medlock
3rd Vice President Terri York
Recording Secretary Linda Lane
Financial Secretary Juanita Christenson
Treasurer Betty Dobson
Sergeant-at-Arms Durenda Estrada
Parliamentarian Dixie Lee

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Oklahoma Blue Star Mothers is a non-partisan, non-political organization. The Mission of the Department of Oklahoma Blue Star Mothers of America is to assist, organize, regulate, and educate all Chapters within the State so that the National Mission of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is accomplished. The Department of Oklahoma shall be patriotic, educational, social, and for service to the community and others; to maintain true allegiance to the government of the United States, to assist families of service men and women, to get acquainted, and to foster democracy, to be ever vigilant against invasion of un-American activities; to uphold the American institutions of freedom, justice, and equal rights, and to defend the United States of America from all enemies.

The Department of Oklahoma serves as an administrative entity that assists in the establishment of new Chapters within the State and to ensure that Chapters are compliant with the National Blue Star Mother of America, Inc.’s Constitution, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, IRS regulations governing 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, and Oklahoma laws are followed with accountability. The Department serves as a central repository of information as well as donation of goods to be distributed to the Chapters within the State who needs assistance, to promote the organization, to enable growth for both the Department and the Chapters in a highly effective and efficient manner, to teach and promote patriotism, and to lend support to each other, our veterans, military personnel and their families.

WHO IS A BLUE STAR MOTHER?

A Blue Star Mother is a Mother whose child(ren) is either presently serving in the military, or whose child(ren) has already served and was honorably discharged. A Step-Mother who undertook the rearing of children at age thirteen or earlier also qualifies as a Blue Star Mother.

CAN OTHERS JOIN THE ORGANIZATION?

There is a category of membership available to Dads whose child(ren) is presenting serving in the military, or whose child(ren) has already served and was honorably discharged. Another category of membership is available to anyone who wishes to be a member and help carry out the Mission of the organization.

WHERE ARE CHAPTERS LOCATED IN THE STATE?

As of May, 2006, the Department has Chapters in the following towns:

Oklahoma (Tulsa) Chapter 1 Tulsa
Wagoner Chapter 2 Wagoner
Muskogee Chapter 3 Muskogee
Sand Springs Chapter 4 Sand Springs
Broken Arrow Chapter 5 Broken Arrow
South Oklahoma City Chapter 6 South Oklahoma City/Moore/Norman
Coweta Chapter 7 Coweta
Edmond/North Oklahoma City Chapter 8 Edmond/North Oklahoma City/Guthrie
Lake Area (Mannford) Chapter 9 Mannford
Mounds Chapter 10 Mounds
Enid Chapter 11 Enid
Green Country Chapter 12 Muskogee
Grand Lake Chapter 13 Grove
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF BLUE STAR MOTHERS

Contact the Department at the phone number, e-mail address, or mailing address listed above. If you do not indicate on your application the Chapter you wish to join, you will be referred to the Chapter nearest you.

NO CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA?

If there is no Blue Star Mothers of America Chapter in your area and you would like to have one, please contact the Department. It only takes five (5) Moms who are willing to serve to apply for a Chapter Charter.

ARE CONTRIBUTIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Blue Star Mothers of America is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which is tax exempt and tax deductible. Your personal tax consultant can best advise you on the deductibility of your donation.

DEPARTMENT NEEDS

      1. The Department is in need of a warehouse/office type building to house donations that comes in for distribution to the Chapters, to provide office space and facilities for training/meetings.
      2. Office furniture, tables, chairs, shelving, storage bins
      3. Computer equipment, printer, copiers, Power Point Equipment

TROOP BOXES

The following list of items are products most often used in BSM Care Packages. They may vary from shipment to shipment based upon the season, holiday, or known need of the individual or where he/she is assigned:

      1. Disposable Razors
      2. Shampoo / Conditioner (Small sizes)
      3. Deodorant (Small sizes, no spray cans)
      4. Baby Wipes (Small sizes)
      5. Toilet Paper (Some areas still need this item, other do not)
      6. Feminine Hygiene Products
      7. Tooth Paste (Small sizes)
      8. Mouth Wash (Small sizes)
      9. Dental Floss
      10. Chapstick or Lip Balm
      11. Eyewash
      12. Q-Tips
      13. Small boarhair brushes
      14. Hand Sanitizer
      15. Foot Powder (Small sizes)
      16. Lotion
      17. Shatter-proof sunglasses
      18. Cool Ties/Hand or Foot Warmers
      19. Sunscreen (Lotion or cream – no spray)
      20. Socks – White/Gray
      21. Candy, gum individually wrapped
      22. Beef Jerky
      23. Snack Foods (Small cans – Peanut butter, Vienna Sausage, Fruit, tuna, etc.)
      24. Condiments
      25. Ramin Noodles
      26. Instant Oatmeal
      27. Energy Bars
      28. Snack Bars and crackers
      29. Fruit Roll-Ups
      30. Drink Mixes (Individual sizes, tea bags, dry powder only – no liquids)
      31. AA and AAA batteries
      32. Small games (playing cards, puzzle books, handheld games, small Frisbees, small stuffed animals such as Beannie Babies)
      33. Paperback books (for both male and female)
      34. Mosquito repellant coils
      35. Writing materials
      36. Cards, pictures made by children, letters
      37. Zip lock bags – all sizes
      38. Packaging Tape

Cash donations are always welcome to help cover cost of mailing the boxes, assisting military personnel, veterans and their families and all other aspects of our service to our communities and others. Checks, money orders, or cashiers checks should be made payable to Dept of OK BSM.

Printable Mission Statement