American Gold Star Mothers, Lehigh Valley Chapter, offers help to military veterans and their families.

“Our chapter was originally formed as the Bethlehem Chapter in 1947 by the World War II mothers,” said Gold Star Mother Carol Resh, of Lowhill Township. “We reorganized in 2012 as the Lehigh Valley Chapter, as our mothers are from many areas. A Gold Star Mother is a mother or stepmother who lost their child in service to our country or as a result of their service.”

Resh and her husband, Charlie, are the parents of the late Army Capt. Mark T. Resh, who served as an Apache attack helicopter pilot in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Resh explained Gold Star Mothers is a volunteer service organization with a mission to serve.

“Most of us feel we are continuing the service our children were not able to complete,” Resh said.

The group participates in Wreaths Across America at a few local cemeteries.

“We are also associated with the Vietnam 50th anniversary commemoration committee,” Resh added. “We pin the Vietnam vets and thank them for their service.”

The chapter has 12 active members.

Members include Dolores Reed, of Whitehall; Patricia Geiger, of Northampton; Margaret “Marge” Kauffman, of Bethlehem; Kathy Andreas, of New Tripoli; Nancy Smith, of Emmaus; Sally Wargo, of Lehighton; Joyce Eckhart, of Orefield; Suzy Jones, of Orwigsburg; Mary Ann Robertson, of Wyoming County; Marie Daud, of Easton; Joanne Wolff, of Albrightsville; and Resh.

“We know there are more local moms who are eligible to join but don’t,” Resh said.

While the chapter’s main focus is helping veterans and their families, they may also help members of the community.

“Each year, we try to send boxes to military personnel who are deployed,” she explained. “We have adopted a veteran with no family and make sure he is remembered for his birthday and Christmas. We usually visit for his birthday and take a cake and balloons to celebrate. At Christmastime, we also buy gifts for a needy veteran family and include a gift card to buy groceries.”

Each Gold Star Mother performs service that is close to her heart.

The chapter’s members are mothers, but other family members can join as associate members under the member mom.

According to Resh, the chapter tries to meet monthly and usually gathers at the home of one of the members.

“We meet at lunch time for fellowship before the meeting starts,” Resh said.

She noted they do lunch since most of the moms are retired.

“If we have a mom who would like to join us and is still working, we will alternate our meetings between day and evening,” Resh said. “Our busiest time for events is summer. Winter is very slow.”

To learn more about American Gold Star Mothers, visit goldstarmoms.com.

An application for membership is available on the website.