FAPC Takes Part in Donating Bubble Wrap to Blue Star Mothers

Friday, September 15, 2006

By Lacie Stockstill
FAPC Communications Graduate Assistant


STILLWATER, Okla. – The Food & Agricultural Products Center on the  
campus of Oklahoma State University recently took part in donating  
more than a half-mile of bubble wrap to the Department of Oklahoma  
Blue Star Mothers of America.

What began as a simple miscommunication ended with the Blue Star  
Mothers receiving an abundance of packing material that is essential  
for the packaging and safe arrival of care packages sent to American  
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We are glad to be part of a shipping mishap that led to the generous  
donation of more than a half-mile of bubble wrap to such a deserving  
organization,” said Jerri Beth Tivis, FAPC workshop coordinator.

The excess bubble wrap was donated by Quill Products in Palatine,  
Ill., and FAPC staff chose the Department of Oklahoma Blue Star  
Mothers to receive the packing material, Tivis said.

Members of the FAPC delivered the bubble wrap to the Blue Star  
Mothers’ offices in Edmond, Okla. and Mannford, Okla.

The Blue Star Mothers of America got its start during World War II  
when a group of mothers whose children were in the armed services  
volunteered in hospitals and train stations and sent care packages to  
troops overseas. The organization’s name comes from the flags adorned  
with blue stars that are still hung in the windows of families with a  
son or daughter in the military.

In April 2003, the Department of Oklahoma Blue Star Mothers was  
chartered and was the first state department chartered in more than  
30 years. With 13 chapters, it is now the largest, most active and  
fastest growing department in the nation, according to current  
president Patsy Varnell of Mannford, Okla.

“Serving as the president of the Department of Oklahoma Blue Star  
Mothers is an awesome responsibility that I do not take lightly,”  
Varnell said. “I cannot accomplish our mission alone.”

Varnell’s husband is a Vietnam veteran, and all three of her sons are  
involved in the military. One son served in the Gulf War as an  
avionics technician, and Varnell’s youngest son expects to be  
deployed to Iraq as a combat medic by November.

“Every mother is different and copes with the stress of being a  
military mom in unique ways,” Varnell said. “For myself, to be  
heavily involved in supporting our troops, helping to boost their  
morale and being part of a support network for the veterans and their  
families helps me look beyond my own doorstep and stress to work  
through what lies ahead.”

About 400 other mothers across the state share Varnell’s coping  
method and join forces to send American troops boxes of shampoo,  
conditioner, sunscreen, socks, shatterproof sunglasses, toilet paper,  
baby wipes and food items that are not available overseas.

Blue Star Dads and Associates including other family members and  
friends also support the Blue Star Mothers. The items they send to  
the troops are donated by organizations such as church groups, civic  
organizations and school groups.

The packages are compartmentalized and products are wrapped and  
packaged to prevent breakage.

“With the bubble wrap, delicate items have a higher probability of  
arriving in a useable condition,” Varnell said.

For more information about the Blue Star Mothers of America or to  
find the nearest chapter, visit www.bluestarmothers.org. Only five  
mothers are needed to charter a chapter, and anyone interested should  
contact the Department of Oklahoma Blue Star Mothers at P.O. Box 463,  
Sapulpa, OK 74067 or (918) 814-2722.