WYOMING COUNTY, Pa. — A Blue Star Mother is a mom who has a son or daughter that is a veteran or is currently serving in the military. Blue Star Mothers of America is a national organization that's been in existance since World War II. Northeastern Pennsylvania has its own chapter.
"We raise money to send care packages, to help the veterans in the VA hospitals, just what ever we can do help veterans because our children have served or are serving," Race Director Chris Decker said.
Chris Decker is a member of Blue Star Mothers of NEPA. She comes from a military family. She and her husband both served as well as her two daughters, Heather and Nicole.
"The oldest one was in the Army for four years and she served in Germany. She was safe the whole time she was in. My younger daughter was in the National Guard for 20 years and she was in Iraq twice," Decker said.
On Saturday, Blue Star Mothers of NEPA will hold its 8th annual Hero 5K Run and Walk. The race starts at the Tunkhannock Little League fields at 10am, with registration beginning at 8. After the race there will be a brief Veteran's Day program and a raffle drawing. Proceeds from the race will go to providing care packages to military personnel serving around the world from Northeastern Pennsyolvania.
"We take names and addresses. If anybody has somebody in the military they want a care package sent to, they can get the name and address to us and we'll add them to our list," Decker said.
The Blue Star Mothers of NEPA will be taking names and addresses at the race or you can call Chris Decker directly at 570-996-7453.