September 19, 2011

For this week's segment of Stephanie's Heroes, CBS19's Stephanie Satchell highlights heroes helping heroes. The group Blue Star Families of Central Virginia is making a difference one care package at a time.

Empty boxes are stacked high at the Blue Star Families of Central Virginia. The group is made up of mostly mothers and wives of deployed military men and women who work to support each other and others fighting for our country.

One of the groups biggest projects is sending care packages. Once every couple of weeks, the group gathers to fill boxes with everything from toothbrushes, to Oreos and even air fresheners.

"It's exciting for them because they have no idea it's in there. A lot of the things that we send them, they don't necessarily see or get," explained Jack Schafer, of the Blue Star Families.

However there is something even more special than the store bought items tucked inside. Volunteers often include a heart felt message to their loved ones, or even strangers.

"Most of the time the message is basically the same, just worded differently, thank you for your service thank you for keeping us safe. Hope you come home safely and thank you for the freedoms that we have because of you," said Katherine Warren, the Co-President of Blue Star Families.

Joline Jackson is new to the the Blue Star Families and the idea of her son being deployed.

"Throughout everyday I do think about him and I wonder is he out and about and is he safe in his tent," said Jackson. Jackson says being with others who are going through the same thing is comforting.

With every item placed into a box, the says they know they are doing their part to make a difference.

Until the troops return home, the members of the Blue Star Families will continue to fill boxes and ship them out, hoping to put a smile on a face thousands of miles away.