Upper Cumberland Blue Star Moms raising funds for care packages sent to active-duty military members and local veterans through a dice fundraiser.
President and Packing Coordinator Dana Caldwell said the organization serves both active-duty service members and veterans in the Cookeville area. Caldwell said the group focuses on providing support to those serving in the United States and across the world.
“We try to send something a little home, something from home, where there from,” Caldwell said. “Like we’ll send socks and toothpaste and deodorant and we put books in there. We put in pillowcases. We try to make them feel like they’re getting a little taste of home.”
Caldwell said the fundraiser takes place at the Veterans Building on Spring Street in Cookeville starting at 5:30 on August 14th. Caldwell said the event features a dice game called Bunco that requires no previous experience to play.
“It’s all you do is roll dice and talk and meet your neighbors across the table,” Caldwell said. “And so we will be doing a dice game, it’s not cards. And we have done it with the American Legion in Cookeville, and men and women are all welcome to come.”
Caldwell said she previously led similar Bunco activities in California before moving to Cookeville four years ago. Caldwell said the game serves as a social centerpiece that allows the community to support the military while connecting with one another.
“It’s just a great way for people to communicate among each other and share their stories,” Caldwell said. “We have Blue Star Moms people, if you have a child in active duty now, you’re considered a Blue Star Mom, whether you’re in a group or not. So we meet lots of people who are Blue Star Moms. We have Gold Star families, people who’ve lost their people to service.”
Caldwell said the evening includes a silent auction featuring various gift baskets for attendees to bid on. Caldwell said the organization will provide a light dinner of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and non-alcoholic drinks.
“And you’ll be switching tables and it’s very easy and I think people really enjoy the the camaraderie of what they all have in common,” Caldwell said. “And you can bring your friends from church, your friends from work, everybody. Anybody you know, men or women.”
Caldwell said the August 14 event is designed to encourage participants to sit down and talk with the people across the table from them.
