Members of the Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA include, from left, in front: Karen Hert, treasurer; Kim Alberts, historian; Beth Steva, Lou Nordin, Skyla Govier, president; Lynnette Ristau. In back are Meghan Rowland, associate; Pam Nordin, vice president; Katelynn Govier, associate wife of military and Tami McCabe of Faulkner Plastic (sponsor). Not pictured are Christy Wills, Anne Wagner, Patti Colosimo (recording secretary), Sally Lord (Financial Secretary), Lora Porter, and Staci See.

Local Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA 203 are preparing for their annual breakfast fundraiser to support troops and Veterans on Sunday at the Warren American Legion, located on 412 Pennsylvania Ave., West, from 8 to 10 a.m. Cost is by donation and a 50-50 and a basket raffle will be available.

Christy Wills, committee chair for the current Donation Drive shared that several local businesses have been accepting donations to help the group mail care packages to our deployed. There is not a cut-off date for the collection drive as it is uncertain when these emergency deployments will end.

“The mail is currently cut off at the time for some of our troops in dangerous areas but we have access to certain info groups that alert us when mail is moving again,” she said. “We have several local military members currently deployed to active hot zones, if you will. We’ve been in contact with their family and they know they can message our FB page with their loved one’s address when and if they get one.”

Hot items for donation are snacks such as protein bars, nuts, hard candy and cereal. No pork products or chocolate can be taken.

The following locations have donation drop off collections: Jones Chevrolet, Allegheny Outfitters, Faded Floral Warren/Forest County EOC, Lawson’s West End Take Out, Senior Helpers, Jefferson Defrees Family Center, CASA of Warren County, Warren County Visitor’s Bureau, Lions Gate Wealth Management,Sheffield Municipal Authority, Sheffield YMCA.

Bee Courageous @ Allegheny Valley Vet Center Clarendon Vets Club, The Free Store – Mount Jewett, Huey’s, D&L Enos Milling & Tire, Judi’s Greenhouse 33231 Rt 6 Pittsfield, Dave’s Auto, KAM’s Logging Supplies, Northern PA Regional College (NPRC).Loranger International Corp.,

Key Moments Childcare Center, PAWS Along the River, Skyla’s The Limit, Sugar Bay Catering and Scratch Kitchen, VirgAnn, Mountain Laurel Federal Credit Union, Warren County Veteran Office (court house) and North Warren Presbyterian Church.

Blue Star Mothers also have created an Amazon Wish List and that link is on their Facebook page along with the list of items and drop off locations.

All orders are sent directly to them. If people prefer to send money to help offset shipping costs, our means of donations are by way of mailing checks to: PO Box 324 Warren, PA 16365

Other payments include: Venmo, BlueStarMothersKinzuaPa203; PayPal, Bluestarmotherspa203@yahoo.com

For further information, call 814-230-0804 or email bluestarmotherspa203@yahoo.com

The Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA 203 is an active organization consisting of mothers, step mothers, and grandmothers of children serving in the Armed Forces. Anyone that does not have children serving can join as an associate member.

Some additional upcoming events for the Blue Star Mothers include:

— A scheduled tour bus on to the 911 Memorial in Shanksville on May 2

— Partnering with Wicked Warren for Warren Gives on May 13

— The group will be hosting a banquet for graduating seniors on May 16

— A Memorial Day service will be held at the General Joseph Park on Thursday May 21 at 6 p.m.

— Christmas in July event for veterans + 1 guest at the Eagles Club on July 18th. This event is by reservation only, call (814) 230-0804

— Their 3rd annual Military Appreciation nights at Warren and Eisenhower football games, dates TBA.

— A Veterans Day parade will be held the Saturday before Veterans Day, on November 7.