By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2008 - Servicemembers' friends and families living in west-central California have a shoulder to lean on if they should need it.

"Our group offers a supportive environment for family members, primarily moms, of service personnel," said Tammy Callahan, president of the Delta Blue Star Moms, based in Knightsen, Calif. "It is most difficult dealing with the fact that your child is serving far away and often in harm's way.

"The support we offer each other is invaluable," she added.

The Delta Blue Star Moms, an official chapter of the national Blue Star Mothers of America organization, is a service and support group for families and friends of U.S. military personnel.

Its main mission, however, is to support the troops with care packages and cards or letters of encouragement, Callahan said.

"Throughout the year, we participate in various fundraisers -- garage sales, etc. -- which allow us to cover postage expenses for our care packages," she said. "Most of the items we ship in the care packages [are donated], but we are always in need of help to defray postage costs."

Delta Blue Star Moms recently became a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Blue Star Mothers of America also is a supporter of the Defense Department program.

"It is our hope that through America Supports You we can increase awareness and exposure to our group," Callahan said. "This will allow us to grow our group and, through increased membership, we will be able to support more servicemembers.

"We also hope it will inspire more businesses and individuals to donate care package items for sending to the troops," she added.

*Related Sites:*
Delta Blue Star Moms  [ http://www.deltabluestarmoms.org ]
Blue Star Mothers of America  [ http://www.bluestarmothers.org ]
Delta Blue Star Moms Support Troops, Each Other [ http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49545 ]