Sheryl Anthos, of Brandon, is the president of the Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. She became affiliated with the group when her son was deployed to Iraq with his Army reserves unit.
The Blue Star Mothers of America has been in existence for more than 70 years and supports active military that are currently deployed or at home and their families. The organization not only provides support for active duty service personnel but also promotes patriotism, assists veterans organizations and it is available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong.
Sheryl Anthos, of Brandon, is the president of the Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. She became affiliated with the group when her son was deployed to Iraq with his Army reserves unit.
“I joined because I felt I needed some emotional support,” Anthos said. She was in military herself, serving in the Air Force. Anthos became the president of her chapter more than a year ago. The chapter covers Pasco, Polk, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Hernando Counties. Not many people know about the organization and Anthos wants to spread the word about what the mothers do and to possibly get more members.
“We are trying to get more members so we can do more for the local military families in our community,” Anthos said.
May is Blue Star Mothers of America month and Anthos’ chapter will be having a Patriotic Packing Party. They are collecting donations to send to local soldiers who are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They want to have the packages to the soldiers by Wednesday, July 4.
Her chapter sent out 150 Christmas stockings to local soldiers deployed during the past holiday.
They are in need of small books, puzzles, games, travel size toiletries, lotion and lip balm. They also need canned non-perishable food items, beef jerky and granola bars. Monetary donations are also a big help. It costs Anthos’ chapter more than $250 to mail out packages. “Even though our organization is recognized as a Congressional Charter, we get no funding from the government,” Anthos said.
To make a donation to the Patriotic Packing Party, contact Anthos at momdoc6767@aol.com. For more information on the Blue Star Mothers of America, visit www.bluestarmothers.org.
