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Beavercreek proclaims Sept. 27–Oct. 5, 2025, Blue Star Welcome Week; local chapter outlines services and events
Summary
Mayor Don Adams read a proclamation recognizing Blue Star Welcome Week. Doctor Maples, executive director of the Dayton and Southwestern Ohio chapter of Blue Star Families, described programs for military and veteran families and local events during the week, including a food‑security 'nourish the service' event and community outings.
Mayor Don Adams read a proclamation recognizing Blue Star Welcome Week in Beavercreek and invited Doctor Maples, executive director of the Dayton and Southwestern Ohio chapter of Blue Star Families, to speak about the chapter’s programs and upcoming events.
The proclamation: The mayor read language proclaiming Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, as Blue Star Welcome Week in the city of Beavercreek, encouraging civilians to welcome military- and veteran-connected families into their communities.
Chapter programs and reach: Doctor Maples said the Dayton and Southwestern Ohio chapter began in February 2020 and has grown from roughly 500 households to approaching several thousand local members; nationally, Blue Star Families reported high membership and tens of thousands of users in its Blue Star Neighborhood online community. Programs Doctor Maples described included the national careers program being localized with partners for workforce development and LinkedIn training; Blue Star Support Circles, a peer‑support cohort model; food‑security efforts under “Nourish the Service” (a local event scheduled for Oct. 17 at Evans Family Ranch in Carlisle and other Ohio locations); and community outings such as a historic train ride on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad and a therapeutic‑riding open house with local partners.
Local connections: Doctor Maples said the chapter works with local partners, including Beavercreek Schools, on initiatives such as a nurse-to-service campaign and called for council and residents to join the Blue Star Neighborhood online to connect and share employer opportunities with military spouses. She also highlighted data the chapter collects: about 32% of military spouses in Ohio reported employment struggles in 2024 and 17% of local respondents reported using food assistance or pantry services in the prior year.
Why this matters: The proclamation spotlights local programming aimed at military families’ employment, social‑connection and basic‑needs supports and formalizes a week of outreach to help civilian neighbors and institutions learn how to welcome and assist military-connected households.
Next steps and invitations: Doctor Maples invited council members and residents to attend Blue Star Welcome Week events, join the Blue Star Neighborhood online community and participate in upcoming Nourish the Service and school‑based activities.
