Published: November 02, 2009 10:29 am      

Blue Star Mothers share info with Kilihoti

Mary Herandy, vice-president of the Blue Star Mothers of Pittsburg County, spoke at the monthly Kilihoti chapter meeting held Oct. 17 at Angel’s Diner in McAlester.

Regent Charleen Samuels called the meeting to order and led the members in the Opening Ritual and the Pledge of Allegiance. “True Patriotism” was the theme of the National Defense report given by Linda Collier, and Martha Gujda gave the Present General’s Message.

Carole Moore, chapter Veteran’s Chairman, reported that she is still collecting gifts to be taken to the Talihina Veteran’s Center. The residents at the center need soaps, body washes, baseball caps, laundry bags, T- shirts, undergarments, sweat pants and shirts and other personal items. To make a donation, please contact any chapter member.

After the conclusion of the meeting, Virginia McCann was presented a birthday cake and card signed by the members in honor of her 98th birthday, which she just celebrated.

Program chairman for the month was Carole Moore, and Jennifer Tarrant served as hostess. Others present at the meeting were Charleen Samuels, Mary Herandy, Darla Heggie, Mollie Shannon, Justine Gore, Matthew Hunziker, Gerald Heggie, Dortha Lee Tucker, Linda Collier, Janet Bailey, Virginia McCann, JoHannah R. Store, Deborah Stone and Pat Burger.

The November meeting will be held on Nov. 14, and those interested in becoming members of the chapter are welcome to attend.

The local Blue Star Chapter received its charter in September of 2006 with 10 members and four associates. Since then the organization has mailed 321 care packages to service men and women in Africa, Japan, Iraq, England, Afghanistan and Korea.

Currently, these Blue Star chapter members are busy preparing Christmas stockings to be sent to Afghanistan and Iraq. They are filling the stockings with snack items such as hard candies, beef jerky, drink mixes and other items not available at the military bases. Contributions may be left at the “Meeting Place” in McAlester. The boxes will be shipped in mid November, so remember to drop off items soon.