Blue Star Families expands support for military-connected families with new Carolina East Chapter. New chapter will connect military and veteran families with local resources, support, and opportunities to build community throughout the Jacksonville region. JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - October 8, 2026 Blue Star Families, the nation's largest military and veteran family support organization, continues its chapter expansion strategy with the launch of its newest location in eastern North Carolina on October 9. The new Carolina East Chapter will give military and veteran families in the Jacksonville, Goldsboro, and Havelock areas a new local resource for connection, support, and community. The chapter will provide opportunities for military-connected families to discover local resources, participate in family programs, and become more connected to the communities they call home. The Carolina East Chapter builds on Blue Star Families' presence in North Carolina, where its Fayetteville Chapter serves military-connected families in the Sandhills Region. The addition of a second chapter recognizes the size and geographic reach of the state's military community and allows Blue Star Families to provide more localized support and programming, including career development workshops for military spouses and peer support circles for caregivers, to families in eastern North Carolina. To support the chapter's opening in North Carolina, Craig Newmark, founder of Craig's List, and craig newmark philanthropies have committed to matching donations made at dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000. "Military-connected families have unique needs that are best addressed close to home," said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet. "Expanding into eastern North Carolina, an area the Marine Corps asked for Blue Star Families support, allows us to reach more families with the relationships and resources that can make a difference during military life. We invite military-connected families and community members alike to get involved, attend events, and help ensure every military family feels connected and supported." North Carolina is home to nearly 110,000 active-duty family members and more than 24,000 National Guard and Reserve family members. Through the Carolina East Chapter, military and veteran families will have access to local events and programming. The chapter will work with businesses, nonprofits, schools, civic organizations, and other community partners to strengthen relationships between military families and the communities where they live. "Military families are an important part of eastern North Carolina, and creating opportunities for families to connect with one another and their neighbors is an important part of building a strong community," said Tate Johnson, Executive Director of the North Carolina Chapters. "The new chapter reflects the size and geographic reach of North Carolina's military population, enabling Blue Star Families to provide more localized support and programming to military and veteran families across the state." In addition to the Carolina East Chapter, Johnson will continue to serve as executive director of the Blue Star Families Greater Fayetteville Region Chapter, providing leadership across both chapters to strengthen Blue Star Families' reach throughout the region. The Carolina East Chapter is part of Blue Star Families' continued effort to make local support more accessible to military and veteran families. By creating opportunities to connect with neighbors, access trusted resources, and participate in their communities, the chapter will help military families build stronger relationships in eastern North Carolina. About Blue Star Families Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation's largest military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A "blue star family" is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts.

As more than 600,000 military-connected families relocate each year, Blue Star Welcome Week helps communities open their doors. Sep 23, 2026, 08:00 ET Hundreds of events nationwide will celebrate military families, build connections, and help military children feel at home in their new communities WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Blue Star Families, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military and veteran families, will host Blue Star Welcome Week 2026 presented by Target from September 26 through October 4, bringing communities across the country together with hundreds of events to welcome and support the more than 600,000 military-connected families who relocate each year. The annual nationwide event raises awareness of the unique challenges military families face while inspiring neighbors, businesses, schools, and community organizations to help military families build connections and a sense of belonging in their new communities after permanent change of station (PCS) moves, the military term for a move to a new duty station. Through get-to-know-your community events like city tours and scavenger hunts, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships, Welcome Week helps military families connect with the communities in which they live. Welcome Week will feature nationwide community experiences from coast to coast, bookended by two marquee "All Hands on Deck: To Nourish The Service" gatherings: one aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego on September 28 and the other at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton, Virginia, on October 5. Hosted by Blue Star Families, in partnership with Welcome Week Presenting Sponsor, Target, these events will bring together hundreds of volunteer employees from Target to assemble and distribute 1,000 pantry kits in each location filled with Target-owned brand food essentials for military families who have recently relocated to the San Diego and Hampton Roads areas and who, like many relocating families, face unexpected costs and challenges associated with moving. Communities nationwide will host events throughout the week, including block parties, scavenger hunts, community tours, outdoor experiences, and other activities designed to help military families connect with their new neighbors and learn about their new community. Highlights include: * The New England Chapter will host an event with the Navy Band Northeast at the USS Constitution Museum. * The Tampa Bay Chapter will welcome families to Legoland, a Tampa Bay Lightning game, and the largest Welcome Week event ever at the Florida Aquarium. * The Chicagoland Chapter will bring families to a multicultural fair and hold a Welcome Home Fall Festival. * The Maryland Chapter will host a train ride into Washington, D.C. and visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. * The Puget Sound Chapter will hold a scavenger hunt in Seattle and host families at the Woodland Park Zoo. * The Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter will host a tour in the city. * The Dayton & Southwestern Ohio Chapter will tour the Sharonville Transmission Plant during Ford Family Day. * The Sheila and George Casey National Capital Region Chapter will host families for a Washington Nationals baseball game and D.C. United soccer game. * The Military Families Outdoors program will provide nature guides along with outdoor education kits to help families explore their new communities. In addition, Welcome Week sponsors will participate in events throughout the week. Macy's will host select military spouses for a private shopping experience in three store locations, and Starbucks Coffee Company will host more than 50 Coffee Connects at coffeehouses across the country. Expect OREO Cookie Challenges at all 14 Blue Star Families Chapter events donated by Mondelez International. A full list of events is available at the Blue Star Welcome Week website, welcomeweek.bluestarfam.org/events. A Longstanding Focus on Military Children This year, Blue Star Welcome Week will build on its longstanding focus on military children by highlighting the unique challenges they face as they move between communities and schools throughout their childhood. According to the Department of War's 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey, military families move approximately every two to three years, three times as often as non-military families, and military children often attend multiple schools before graduating. Each move means leaving behind friends, teachers, and familiar routines and starting over in a new community. "Military families move frequently and uproot their lives as they follow the mission. We all have a role to play in making sure they feel welcome and connected," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. "Blue Star Welcome Week is a chance for military families to find community and for Everyday Americans to discover how they can show up and do their part. Whether you're a military family or an Everyday American who wants to support those who serve, join Blue Star Families to find your place and learn how you can make a difference during Welcome Week and all year long." That sense of connection matters. Blue Star Families' research has found that military families continue to face significant challenges related to belonging, financial strain, and food security. Only 37% of military families say they would recommend military service to a young family member, down from 60% a decade ago, underscoring the importance of strengthening the communities that support those who serve. A National Moment As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Blue Star Welcome Week provides an opportunity to recognize the families who serve alongside our nation's service members and turn gratitude into action. Blue Star Welcome Week 2026 is supported by presenting sponsor Target, as well as craig newmark philanthropies, CSX, Macy's, Starbucks, Chobani, OREO, Leonardo DRS, Morgan Stanley, T-Mobile, Amazon, along with other corporations, private foundations, local small businesses, and nonprofit partner organizations. Blue Star Families encourages Everyday Americans to Do Your Part to welcome military families during Welcome Week and beyond by joining or hosting an event, sharing resources to spread the word, or making a donation. For more information and to get involved, visit bluestarwelcomeweek.org. About Blue Star Families Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation's largest military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A "blue star family" is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts. Blue Star Families launched Blue Star Welcome Week in 2020 as a national week of activation designed to help military families feel welcome and inspire community members to do their part to support them. SOURCE Blue Star Families