Eagle Scout candidate Michael Gallina, from Webster Boy Scout Troop 262, has teamed up with the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester (BSM) to help our deployed service members get a taste of home.
Michael is holding a donation drive to collect items for the BSM’s next care package shipment, scheduled in November. The fliers below have a complete list of the items the Blue Star Mothers are looking for, and where your donations can be dropped off. Everything needs to be collected by November 1 to have enough time to pack the care packages and send them off.
Michael, a senior at McQuaid Jesuit High School, told me that he chose this project because it reminded him of when he was younger and participated in the annual Scouting for Food drive.
He wrote,
As young Scouts, we would collect donated items and as older Scouts, we would prepare the items to be taken to local food pantries. We did this in order to help our unknown neighbors. As I myself get older, I have friends who are considering joining the military and I think about supporting them if they’re far from home. This project gives me the opportunity support an organization that brings a bit of home to those who are far away.
Every year in June and November, the Blue Star Mothers send care packages to our local service members who are deployed overseas. Something simple as a pack of cards or some socks lets them know that their service is appreciated and we haven’t forgotten about them.
So please check out the lists and drop off some donations. You’ll be helping our service members AND Michael.
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For a few hours on Sunday April 27, 15 military families (including a set of twins) were showered with gifts, sweet treats, fruit, chips and sandwiches when the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter NY8 (BSM NY8) held their Baby Shower for Military.
The annual event, held at the Cottreal-Warner American Legion Post, is designed to recognize and provide for young mothers and expectant mothers in local military families. The event was open to active duty, veterans and military spouses of active duty service members, who were expecting or have children up to six months old. For many of these mothers, this may be the only baby shower they get, since they’re usually stationed far away from their close relatives. And since they relocate frequently, they may not have all of the baby supplies and equipment they collected for their older children.
This is the 8th year the Blue Star Mothers have held this shower. They work hard all year long, shopping for new baby clothes, diapers, high chairs, Pack and Plays, toys, books and many other gifts. This event also gets huge support from the local businesses and community members, who donate gifts or money for gifts, hand-craft hats and booties, and provide pampering services during the shower. Each family left with their car filled to the brim with wonderful gifts.
Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. The Baby Shower for Military is one of the most important service projects of the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter. It’s just one small way to say thank you and give back to those who have served our country, and given so much to us.
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On the occasion of this Thanksgiving holiday, I’d like to highlight two organizations who are helping make the holidays — and every day — a little bit happier.
Last weekend, the Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 packaged and shipped 236 care packages for our local soldiers serving overseas. As you can see from the photos, the packages included so many items which will be greatly appreciated by our troops, including snacks, socks, powdered hot chocolate, beef jerky, instant oatmeal, and lots more. The packages will be sent all over the world.
This particular packing and shipping event was called their “Holiday Care Package Drive.” The Blue Star Mothers also send out a shipment every June. The packages not only bring a bit of joy to our soldiers serving far from home, but also bring comfort to the families left behind, who can see how much their loved ones are appreciated.
Coming up for the Blue Star Mothers:
The annual Army/Navy Game Fundraiser will be December 14 at the Spencerport American Legion, 691 Trimmer Rd. There’ll be food, basket raffles, 50/50 raffle, and of course FOOTBALL!
The power of collaboration shone on Monday, November 18 as a dozen Webster Community Chest and Webster HOPE volunteers gathered to distribute Thanksgiving dinner supplies to more than 200 pre-registered Webster families. The distribution followed months of food and monetary collection from donors and shoppers, weeks of logistical planning and days of more volunteers from both organizations organizing the foods to be distributed. Distribution volunteers were trained to deliver bags of food to waiting carloads of families and manage traffic control. An anonymous donor came in at the last minute to donate more than 200 $10 grocery gift cards so families could purchase a protein course (such as turkey) for their holiday meal.
This is the Webster Community Chest’s third collaborative holiday distribution for 2024.
It’s a tribute to the dedication of leaders and volunteers from both organizations that they were able to carry off such a successful event all the while maintaining their regular food distributions that week.
Coming up for the Community Chest:
WEBSTER MASONS SPAGHETTI DINNER FOR THE CHEST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
The Webster Masons hold a Spaghetti Dinner on the first Friday of every month from October through June and each benefits a Webster charity or not-for-profit organization. The one on December 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. benefits the Community Chest. It’s at the Masonic Lodge #538, 30 Orchard Street in Webster. On the menu is spaghetti and meatballs with either marinara or garlic sauce. Garlic bread, salad, water/coffee/tea, and ice cream with a cookie are included, and diners may have seconds. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children aged 12 and under.
The meals are prepared by the Masons and will be served by 36 volunteers from the Chest and from both Webster Schroeder and Thomas High School. The students at the event represent such groups as the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact, The Library Club, CARE Club, and Key Club.
Take out dinners are available at the door. If you’d like to buy advance tickets, click here.
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Got a lot of sensitive documents that need shredding?
The Village of Webster is hosting a free shredding event on Saturday May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind Village Hall and the Webster Fire Department.
This is a drive-through event; volunteers will be on hand to unload your car. Paper only will be accepted, and staples DO NOT need to be removed. Paper needs to be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (not plastic). Limit is five boxes per vehicle.
This notice from the Webster Central School District:
The Webster CSD Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education election takes place Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road.
Good food is on tap at Heritage Square Museum on Friday May 31 when the museum hosts a chicken barbecue, from 4 p.m. until they’re sold out.
On Sunday June 2, the museum will be hosting an ice cream social. I don’t know many details about this, but I DO know that there will be live music between 2 and 4 p.m. featuring oldies and pop favorites from Cheap Datez.
Never heard of this wonderful living history museum just minutes from our village? Click here to read the blog I wrote about it.
June is shaping up to be a busy month at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.
Learn the ins and outs of composting at one of two workshops, on Wednesday June 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. or Tuesday June 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Each workshop will provide instruction on how to be successful with home composting, including what can be composted, container types and troubleshooting. Once your scraps have been composted, you’ll receive ideas on how to best use this valuable resource. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions.
The presenter is Barbara Cummings from the Wayne County Master Gardener Program, an expert on the topic. Both presentations will take place at the Curry Building located in The Webster Arboretum at 1700 Schlegel Road. No registration or fee is required. Come early because “a rind is a terrible thing to waste.”
On Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m., join Arboretum board member George Riehle when he gives a tour and program about peonies, the “queen of flowers.”
George’s presentation will discuss the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Learn how to grow and care for this elegant flower to ensure beautiful blooms year after year. This is a talk and walk, and will be held rain or shine. Go to theWebster Arboretum website to register.
The Music at the Arb series continues this summer when Jazz Generation performs at the Arboretum gazebo on Thursday June 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Jazz Generation is Eli Behlok and Jim Allchin, an acoustic duo featuring the warm sounds of nylon string guitars. Eli and Jim create a welcoming ambiance with a unique mix of world jazz music, including popular American jazz standards, melodic Brazilian bossa novas, fiery Spanish guitars, bluesy French gypsy jazz and some surprising originals.
Because the performance is outdoors in the gazebo, it is weather-dependent. Snacks are available for purchase, but you can bring your own, and remember your chairs, blankets and beverages. There’s no cost for admission, and all are invited.
Finally, this nice story about how our local Girl Scouts came through AGAIN to support our deployed service members.
For those of us who ordered Girl Scout cookies this year, we stopped thinking about them when they FINALLY arrived on our doorstep. But the 13 third graders from Brownie Troop 60344 (based at Klem North) were just getting started.
All through April, whenever they set up shop at Walmart or Lowe’s, the young ladies would not just sell cookies to all of us who didn’t get enough thin mints. They also took orders for cookies to be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops, which will be mailed out in June. Service members love Girl Scout cookies, as you can imagine. And even after they’ve been bounced around the world, and even if they arrive in crumbs, they’re still treasured.
The troop has done this for several years, collecting donations for the care packages. But this year they went over and above, getting 263 boxes donated!
So thank you to the Brownies, and to all of the community members who stopped by the troop’s cookie tables this season and dropped some extra cash.
By the way, the same evening when we took the photo of the donated cookies, the Brownies were holding their regular meeting, where they worked with Mary Ann O’Mara to make 45 greeting cards for the troops, which will also be included in the care packages.
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For two hours on Sunday, seven expectant — or brand new — military mothers were showered with gifts, sweet treats, fruit, chips and sandwiches when the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter NY8 (BSM NY8) held their Baby Shower for Military.
The annual event, held at the Cottreal-Warner American Legion Post, is designed to recognize and provide for young mothers and expectant mothers in local military families. The event was open to active duty, veterans and military spouses of active duty service members, who were expecting or have children up to six months old. For many of these mothers, this may be the only baby shower they get, since they’re usually stationed far away from their close relatives.
In the seven families that were showered, at least one parent is active duty or a veteran. A few of the others are still expecting, and some of the babies in attendance were as young as six days old and four weeks old.
This year’s theme was Mama-to-Bee, so the event was sprinkled with bumblebee balloons, centerpieces and cupcakes, adding to the fun.
The Blue Star Mothers work hard all year long, shopping for new baby clothes, diapers, high chairs, Pack and Plays, toys, books and many other gifts. The Chain Gang of Chili, a group of talented women, made and donated knitted and crocheted sweaters, hats, booties and blankets, and many other gifts were provided by generous community members. Each family left with their car filled to the brim with wonderful gifts.
A huge shout-out and thank you to the 209th Regiment of Cadets, under the leadership of Staff Sergeant Kathy Quinones. The cadets set up and tore down tables, moved mountains of baby gifts into guest’s cars, and did most of the muscle required to make this Military Baby Shower possible.
Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. The Baby Shower for Military is one of the most important service projects of the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter. It’s just one small way to say thank you and give back to those who have served our country, and given so much to us.
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The event, scheduled for Sunday May 5 at the Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post on Ridge Rd., will shower up to 20 babies with “Baby Baskets of Loving Care,” each filled with gifts for moms and their babies including baby clothing, handmade outfits, homemade blankets, sweaters, booties and hats, diapers, wipes, baby supplies, toys, and more. The new mamas will also be offered chair massages and other pampering at the event.
Active duty, veterans and military spouses of active duty and veterans who are expecting or have children up to 6 months old are welcome to register for and attend the shower. (Must be a resident of Monroe or Wayne counties.)
The Mothers have been pulling together donations for many months, but they’d love to get a lot more. If you’d like to help out, you can donate to their baby gift registry through this Amazon.com link.
Blue Star Mothers president Amy VanDerwerken said, “We love how the local community comes together to support this event. They allow us to provide diapers, clothes, wipes, bibs, blankets, bottles, toys, books, etc.” Besides the many individuals who donate from the Amazon Baby Shower list, they also receive donations from several local businesses and community organizations.
Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. The Baby Shower for Military is one of the group’s most important service projects. Each year BSM NY8 honors up to 20 local military families, and for some of these expectant mothers, it may be the only baby shower they get, since they’re usually stationed far away from their close relatives.
“We hope to continue growing and working with the community to be able to support our local military families,” VanDerwerken said. “We could not do this military baby shower event without that support.”
The Military Baby Shower will be hosted by the Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post on Sunday May 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s totally free for the first 20 women to register. To sign up, or for more information, contact one of the Baby Shower Committee Co-chairs, Amy VanDerwerken and Jill Harris, at 1VP.NY8@BlueStarMothers.US.
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You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
If you’re a big fan of Girl Scout cookies like I am, you know that the cookies have arrived and the troops are hard at work delivering them. But if you missed out on ordering this year, or you REALLY need more Thin Mints to toss in the freezer, have no fear. I know of at least one troop which will be selling them at local businesses in the coming weeks.
Webster Girl Scout Troop 60344 will have a table set up in these locations on these dates:
Sunday, April 7: Lowe’s Home Improvement, 900 Five Mile Line Rd., 1 to 4 p.m.
Friday, April 12: Edge Barber Shop, 205 North Ave., 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13: Edge Barber Shop, 205 North Ave., noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 27: Walmart, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 27: Walmart, 1 to 4 p.m.
They’ll not only be selling cookies to all of us, they’ll also be taking orders for cookies which will be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops, which will be mailed out in June.
Service members love Girl Scout cookies, as you can imagine. They’re a small taste of home. And even after they’ve been bounced around the world and even if they arrive in crumbs, they’re still treasured. So plan to stop by one of these tables this month, pick up some extra cookies for yourself, and help spread smiles around the world.
You can also purchase cookies online to be included in the care packages. Click here to get to the website, and make sure to indicate “Have Girl Scout Troop 60344 deliver the cookies” so you don’t pay for shipping. And please add the word “Care” before their name (like, Care Missy Rosenberry). This will let the troop know the cookies will be donated to our service members. (Best to stay away from chocolate cookies since they might melt in transit!)
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
I stopped by the Webster Garlic Festival this morning for a few hours and wanted to share some photos with you in a bonus blog today.
This is a terrific event (and I say “is” because it continues tomorrow). There are SO MANY garlic and craft vendors, a good number of food trucks and food vendors, even some things for the kids to do. There are also some great opportunities to support our troops by creating a personal message to be included in a care package, and sponsoring a wreath for Wreaths Across America.
You can pet an alpaca, have an ice cream cone, start your Christmas shopping, check out some demonstrations (like garlic-twisting), and learn more about some Webster community organizations. All for just $5 per person (12 and under free).
All proceeds from the Garlic Festival benefit Wreaths Across America Webster, dedicated to placing a wreath on the grave sites all 3,000 veterans in our seven Webster cemeteries. Proceeds also support local military families through Blue Star Mothers Rochester NY8.
This Webster Garlic Festival continues tomorrow, Sunday Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
For two hours on Sunday, 13 expectant — or brand new — military mothers were showered with gifts, sweet treats and breakfast pizza when the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter NY8 (BSM NY8) held their Baby Shower for Military.
The annual event, held at the Cottreal-Warner American Legion Post, is designed to recognize and provide for young mothers and expectant mothers in local military families. The event was open to active duty, veterans and military spouses of active duty service members, who were expecting or have children up to six months old. For many of these mothers, this may be the only baby shower they get, since they’re usually stationed far away from their close relatives.
Each mother left the event with three huge IKEA bags packed to the brim with age-appropriate clothing items, toys, bottles, baby wipes, hand-made boppies, hand-crocheted sweaters, booties, hats and blankets, and lots more. A fourth bag was filled with personal care items, lotions and soaps just for Mom, and for Dad, snacks and a book to read to the baby during those midnight feedings.
I mean, they thought of everyone!
I spoke with one young mother, Kat Welch, who was enjoying the event while cradling her 6-week old daughter Evelyn. She and her husband have only lived in the area a short time, and her folks live in New Zealand. So, “I didn’t have a baby shower or anything,” she said. “We didn’t have any kind of celebration.”
Kat found out she was pregnant with Evelyn, their fifth child, last August, only two weeks before her husband was deployed to Africa for a year. They’d pretty much given up on conceiving another child, so Kat had already gotten rid of most of her baby stuff. She went home Sunday with not only the four bags of clothing and baby necessities, but also a stroller, a Diaper Genie and a brand new bassinet.
She was especially grateful for the bassinet.
“We weren’t expecting (Evelyn) to be as small as she was (only four pounds), so she’s too small to sleep in her nursery,” Kat said. “She’s currently sleeping in my bed. So it’s a huge help because she can now sleep next to me in my bedroom.”
While the annual Military Baby Shower is organized and coordinated by the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter, it truly is a community effort. The group’s members have been collecting items for months in preparation, fanning out to local businesses to solicit donations of food, baby products or gift cards. Individual community members went online to the Blue Star Mothers’ Amazon wish list and purchased larger-ticket items like Diaper Genies and strollers. And at the actual baby shower on Sunday, three local small businesses — Rosy Glow Maternity, Artistic Boutique and Studio, and Karen Reyes Massage Therapy — volunteered their time to make the day even more special.
Several members of the 209th Regiment of Cadets were also on hand to help set up tables, put all the bags out, and carry items to cars when the mothers headed for home.
Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. The Baby Shower for Military is one of the most important service projects of the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter.
If you’re a big fan of Girl Scout cookies like I am, you know that the cookies have arrived and the troops are hard at work delivering them. But if you missed out on ordering this year, or you REALLY need more Thin Mints to toss in the freezer, have no fear. I know of at least one troop which will be selling them at local businesses in the coming weeks.
Webster Girl Scout Troop 60344 will have a table set up this Sunday March 12 at Lowe’s Webster from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Saturday March 25 and April 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart Home entrance. They’ll not only be selling cookies to all of us, they’ll also be taking orders for cookies which will be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops.
So, not only can you get your own personal cookie fix, you can also help send a little taste of home to our troops.
By the way, this particular Girl Scout troop is the one I wrote about a few weeks ago when one of its members, Julia Meyers, lost her cookie money envelope in the high winds we had in early February. A very kind neighbor found it and most of the missing cash, and it was all returned to Julia. I posted the whole touching story in this blog.
I know for a fact that Julia herself will be at the March 12 cookie-selling table, so if you’d like to meet her in person, this is a great chance to do so!
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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