Blue Star Families Announces Transition of Missouri Chapter to Blue Star Outpost — Increasing Efforts Under the Do Your Part Initiative with the Quality of Life Panel

[FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI] — Blue Star Families (BSF) announced today the transition of the Missouri Chapter to a Blue Star Outpost under the Do Your Part initiative made possible by the generosity of craig newmark philanthropies. Created in support of the House Armed Services Committee Quality of Life Panel’s directive to investigate issues impacting the quality of life for service members and their families, Blue Star Outposts are innovative community solutions that expand the impact of BSF programming. Outpost locations conduct high-impact, evidence-based, in-person and virtual programming for military- and Veteran-connected families in their communities.

“Blue Star Outposts drive the Do Your Part initiative as a strong call to action in their respective communities. It challenges neighbors and organizations to strive for stronger connections with military populations. We are creating new ecosystems to establish relationships, expand our reach, and accelerate our impact,” said Lindsay Knight, Chief Impact Officer, Blue Star Families. “We are energized by the potential growth Blue Star Outposts affords the organization and the opportunities it will generate for partners and military families in these areas.”

Missouri Chapter Transition

The Chapter’s official transition date is April 1, 2024. During the transition, Tai Kimes, the current Chapter Director, will assume the position of Senior Manager of Chapter Impact Operations for Blue Star Families.

A fixture of the Fort Leonard Wood community since March of 2019, the Missouri Chapter of Blue Star Families was initially created by a group of volunteers in 2013. According to the Chapter’s 2022 annual report, the location increased its membership by 42%. Last year, it hosted 85 events and impacted 6,539 military-connected family members. Volunteers in the area accounted for 72% of event manpower.

“We look at this transition of the Missouri Chapter as just another page in an incredible story of a shared mission to serve military families,” said Kimes. “The relationships we forged in the last five years will ensure our efforts continue through our local partners and steadfast volunteers.”

Additional Anticipated Outpost Locations:

• Nebraska, 2nd District
• South Carolina, 1st District
• Texas, 8th District
• Virginia, 3rd District
• Guam
• Missouri, 4th District
• Indiana, 3rd District
• Pennsylvania, 6th District
• Texas, 16th District
• California, 51st District
• Washington, 10th District
• North Carolina, 1st District
• New Jersey, 3rd District

Applications for prospective Blue Star Outpost grants open on March 15, 2024. For additional details on the Do Your Part initiative, visit doyourpart.com.

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About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families is the nation’s largest grassroots military family support organization, with a mission to support military families to improve military readiness. Its distinctive approach builds stronger communities around military families through knowledge and programs that address the unique needs of those who serve. Blue Star Families’ nationally recognized surveys and analysis give military families an important voice that informs policymakers and its military family programs. It uses the power of its collective resources and cross-sector collaborations to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of military families to strengthen the troops, their families, and our nation as a whole. For more information, visit bluestarfam.org.

Media Contact
Adriene Engstrom
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