The Blue Star Mothers are known locally for honoring veterans and those currently serving. They are also responsible for sending care packages to troops overseas, which often include Girl Scout Cookies.

“It’s a taste of home,” said Susan Rowley, Blue Star Mothers NY 4 president.

Rowley said that over time, various Girl Scouts groups have taken cookie orders to be donated to members of the military. Through the Blue Star Mothers, which coordinates multiple care package deliveries each year, boxes of cookies can then be sent to troops across the world.

“It’s just a taste of something familiar — a treat of something they had gotten when they were younger,” Rowley said. “We all look forward to Girl Scout Cookie time and have our favorite flavor.”

Collaboration among Blue Star Mothers chapters and Girl Scouts programs can be seen across the country as well as throughout Chautauqua County.

“It’s a very good thing, very exciting,” Rowley added.

As for the care package deliveries in general, Rowley said a springtime collection and shipment is being organized now. She added that it would likely take place in late April or early May.

Regarding the impact of the donations, Rowley said it’s “a great feeling all the way around.”

The Christmastime collection and shipment is the local Blue Star Mothers’ biggest haul each year, usually hosted at the Fluvanna Community Church.

“They appreciate, again, knowing that someone collected (care package items) for them, donated them and took the time to send them,” Rowley said.