Blue Star Families of New England

06/24/2026

Every year, we're excited to share Target 's military discount with our Blue Star Families community — and this year, it's even bigger. 🎉

Target has increased its military discount from 10% to 20% off one qualifying storewide purchase for verified service members, veterans, and their families.
Even better, the offer overlaps with Target Circle Deal Days, giving military families even more opportunities to save on summer essentials, back-to-school items, and everyday needs.

📅 Military discount valid: June 21–July 4
https://bit.ly/3XwCBus

Thank you, Target, for continuing to support military and veteran families with meaningful savings when they need it most.

06/23/2026

Reminder that tomorrow is our Rhode Island Monthly Coffee Connect

Stop by after work to unwind, connect, and recharge with free coffee provided by Starbucks, meaningful conversation, and connections that help make military life feel a little more like home.

📅 Wednesday, June 24th
🕤 6 – 7:30 PM
📍 Starbucks, 1191 Division St, East Greenwich, RI 02818

https://neighborhood.bluestarfam.org/topics/29324/events/274615

What to Expect:
* Complimentary coffee provided by Starbucks
* A relaxed, welcoming environment
* Opportunities to connect with other military-connected adults
* Informal conversation and peer support
* Information about upcoming Blue Star Families programs and events

06/23/2026

⚓ Happy Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary! ⚓
Today, Blue Star Families New England celebrates the dedicated volunteers of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary—the uniformed volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Since 1939, Auxiliary members have used their skills, service, and local knowledge to help keep America's waterways safe. From teaching boating safety courses and conducting vessel safety checks to supporting communications, public education, and Coast Guard missions, these volunteers make a lasting impact in communities across the country.

Here in New England, where our communities are connected by the ocean, rivers, harbors, and working waterfronts, Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers help support the maritime safety efforts that are so important to our region. Their service complements the work of Coast Guard members stationed throughout New England who stand ready to respond to emergencies, protect our waterways, and serve our nation.

On this special day, we thank the volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Coast Guard families who support the mission every day.

Happy Birthday, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and thank you for your continued service! 🌊💙

06/21/2026

In New England, every family has a dad story. 🌲🌊

It's the hike that was supposed to be "just a quick walk," the beach day that turned into an all-day adventure, the fishing trip where the fish got bigger every time the story was told, and the secret shortcut through back roads that somehow added 20 minutes to the drive.

Military and veteran dads know a thing or two about adventure. They've navigated deployments, PCS moves, new duty stations, and countless family milestones while always finding a way to create memories that last a lifetime.

From the mountains of Vermont to the shores of Rhode Island, from Maine's rocky coast to the parks and trails across New England, we celebrate the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures who lead the way, tell the stories, and remind us that the best memories often begin with, "Trust me, I've got a plan."

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible military and veteran dads in our New England community. 💙

06/20/2026

☀️ Happy First Day of Summer, New England! 🌊⛰️🌲
Every corner of New England has that one outdoor spot people can't stop talking about.

Maybe it's the beach where you catch the perfect sunrise, the hiking trail with breathtaking views, the hidden swimming hole, or the park where your family spends every summer afternoon.

Now it's your turn, New England neighbors:
📍 What outdoor spot near you deserves local legend status?

Drop it in the comments and tell us why it's your favorite! Whether it's in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, we want to hear about the places that make New England special.

Save this post and come back later to discover some new adventures recommended by fellow military and veteran families across the region. 💙

06/19/2026

💛 Juneteenth invites us to remember, learn, and honor the full story of freedom in America.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, informing enslaved people in Texas of their freedom. In 2026, we mark 161 years since that day, and five years since Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Long before national recognition, families and communities kept this history alive through remembrance, education, gathering, and celebration. Learning that fuller American story helps us better understand one another, teach the next generation with honesty, and build communities rooted in dignity and belonging.

This Juneteenth, take time to learn, reflect, and connect with the history and people around you.

Learn more from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture at: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/what-juneteenth

06/18/2026

Blue Star Families has a caregiver resource hub built for the helpers, advocates, schedule-keepers, and loving hearts who make care possible. 🫶

Inside, you can join the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, explore career resources available for caregivers, and download the Military Caregiver Support PDF through the Caregiver Resource Directory.

And that is only the beginning. You will find even more resources, tools, and caregiver support by exploring the Blue Star Caregivers resource hub: https://bluestarfam.org/caregivers/

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

📢 Calling all Boston-area military families, veterans, service members, caregivers, and military-connected community members!

How would you invest $2 million to strengthen your community?

Join Blue Star Families New England for a virtual information session on Ideas in Action, the City of Boston's Participatory Budgeting Program. This is your opportunity to learn how to submit ideas that can directly impact military and veteran families across Boston.

🗓 Wednesday, July 15, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual Event
https://neighborhood.bluestarfam.org/topics/29324/events/274757

During this session, we'll explore how military-connected residents can bring forward ideas that support:
⭐ Military and veteran family well-being
⭐ Youth and family programming
⭐ Community connection and engagement
⭐ Mental health and wellness initiatives
⭐ Digital access and education opportunities
⭐ Public spaces and neighborhood improvements that benefit military-connected communities

All Boston residents, regardless of age, are eligible to participate in the Participatory Budgeting process. We encourage military families, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, caregivers, and military supporters to join us and learn how your ideas can help shape future community investments.

Your experiences matter. Your voice matters. Let's work together to ensure military and veteran families are represented in Boston's community priorities.

Welcome to the Blue Star Families New England Chapter Neighborhood! We can't wait to meet you! Make sure you join our community group, and then you can connect with local members here:       ➡️ Greater Boston / Central MA (Worcester | Hanscom AFB | Coast Guard)      ➡️ Western MA | V...

06/16/2026

🐝💙 We Were Busy Bees Yesterday! 💙🐝

Our volunteers were hard at work yesterday sorting, packing, and preparing for this week's Nourish the Service distribution at Hanscom Air Force Base!

Together, we packed over 100 Healthy Kids Snack Bags that will be distributed to military families on Thursday as they kick off summer break. ☀️🍎🎒

A huge thank you to our amazing local Gold Star Families volunteers and our partners at Hanscom Federal Credit Union WealthTrek for hosting our packing event. Your generosity, teamwork, and dedication help ensure military families feel supported and cared for.

We can't wait to see families on Thursday as we distribute fresh produce, pantry staples, and these special snack bags filled with summer-ready treats for military kids.

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped make this effort possible. It truly takes a community to support our military families!

66th Force Support Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base 66th Security Forces Squadron Hanscom Air Force Base Chapel Community Hanscom AFB Military & Family Readiness Center Hanscom Air Force Base Hanscom AFB Youth Programs