Since 2009, Blue Star Families has, with the help of partners like Disney, given hundreds of thousands of books away to more than 560,000 military kids across the world through Blue Star Books. In 2018, Blue Star Families distributed more than 31,000 books at over 250 events.

Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (aMFLS) provides a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and challenges encountered by military families. It remains the largest and most comprehensive survey of active duty, veterans, and their families. This seminal survey provides a yearly “snapshot” of the state of military families, offering crucial insight and data to help inform national leaders, local communities, and philanthropic actors. Most critically, the publication and widespread use of this survey create opportunities to support the health and sustainability of our all-volunteer Force by increasing dialogue and understanding between the military community and broader American society. Blue Star Families conducted its 9th annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey in April-May, 2018 with over 10,100 respondents including military spouses, active duty service members, veterans, and their immediate family members participating in the survey.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Metlife Foundation, Blue Star Museums provides free admission and special events for military families at over 2,000 participating museums nationwide between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. In 2018, over 690,000 military families visited a Blue Star Museum.

In partnership with National Park Trust, Blue Star Families provides free access to military families at over 2,000 national parks and federal recreation sites. In 2018, 905 military family members were engaged on Blue Star Families’ Kids to Parks Day through 19 opportunities led by 41 BSF staff and volunteers in 11 communities across the nation.

Programs for caregivers and member benefits support the goal of making strong families even stronger. Caregiving for the entire family–across the whole lifecycle of military service from enlistment to retirement and into Veteran status–is important. Caregivers Empowering Caregivers events were specifically developed to strengthen our military family members who are caring for their veteran or service member. While focusing on the importance of self-care in a social setting that encourages resource sharing and peer support, we hope to encourage connections that will strengthen you on your journey as a caregiver. In 2018, Blue Star Families hosted 290 caregiving events with over 1300 adults in attendance.

Blue Star Careers is a suite of initiatives and resources designed to support military spouses through their career journeys, including: Networks Live! – in-person and virtual networking events, workshops, and professional development opportunities connecting military spouses to industry leaders, mentors, and employers. SpouseForce – free training and support designed to help military spouses gain certification as Salesforce administrators, a proficiency in high demand by today’s employers. Employment Support Initiative – community-specific employment support in our staffed chapters. Since the launch of Blue Star Careers in 2017, more than 385 spouses have been placed in jobs, which is an economic impact of $27,821,206 to those military families.

Our military’s families are extremely proud to serve all Americans and work hard to stay strong while facing the added burdens of military life. What keeps them strong is support from all of us – their Blue Star Neighbors as volunteers, donors, businesses, civic organizations, and partners.