Blue Star Mothers of the Upstate calls on community for holiday care package drive via Amazon Wish List

With the holiday season approaching, local military mothers are turning to the Upstate community to help send comfort, encouragement, and essential provisions to active-duty service members deployed overseas.

The Blue Star Mothers of the Upstate SC#4, a regional chapter of the national non-partisan, non-profit Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., has launched an effort to collect items for its annual holiday care package pack-out. To streamline community support, the organization has created a dedicated Amazon Wish List allowing donors to purchase requested goods online and have them shipped directly to volunteer organizers.

Supporting Troops Far From Home

Twice a year, the chapter coordinates large-scale mailings to deployed military personnel—dispatching Girl Scout cookies in the spring and comprehensive care packages ahead of the winter holidays.

For troops stationed in remote locations or facing extended months away from family during the holidays, these packages provide both tangible supplies and a meaningful connection to home.

Items featured on the chapter’s holiday wish list include:

• Personal Care & Hygiene: Pocket-sized tissue packs, refreshing body wipes, lip balm, and travel toiletries.

• Downtime Entertainment: Puzzle and activity books, deck games, pens, and paperback novels.

• Snacks & Comfort Goods: Shelf-stable snacks, drink mix packets, and practical daily essentials requested by overseas units.

• Packing Supplies & Support: String cinch bags and Amazon gift cards to assist volunteers with packaging and assembly supplies.

“Cards of Encouragement”

Alongside tangible items, the organization emphasizes the impact of personal words through its “Card Heroes” initiative.

Community members, church groups, classrooms, and homeschool students are invited to write uplifting holiday cards, thank-you notes, and drawings to be tucked into every care package. Organizers note that these simple, handwritten reminders of hometown support are often the most cherished items service members receive.

How to Donate and Support

Upstate residents can contribute directly through several avenues:

• Direct Online Orders: Items selected from the chapter’s official Amazon Wish List are delivered straight to the collection organizers.

• Drop-Off / Physical Shipping: Unopened supplies and handwritten cards can be dropped off or mailed to the chapter’s local collection point:

  • Attn: Kimberley McCarthy / Blue Star Mothers of the Upstate

  • Address: 819 Laurel Meadows Parkway, Greenville, SC 29607 (located behind the Mauldin Library)

• Learn More: To find out more about volunteer packing days, local veteran outreach, or membership, visit bsmupstatesc4.org or email Chapter President Martha Austin at [email protected].