Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte Steps Up When a Local Veteran Loses Everything

When Navy veteran Michael Ackermann lost nearly everything in a house fire, a group of Charlotte mothers made sure he didn't have to start over alone.

They're the Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte, and what happened next offers a glimpse into the kind of work this organization does for veterans and military families across our community.

Ackermann's Steele Creek home was devastated by fire in late August. He was able to escape and rescue his three dogs, including his service dog, but much of what he owned couldn't be saved.

Clothing. Furniture. Everyday necessities. Personal belongings and memories that can't simply be replaced.

Then Ackermann met Fostoria Pierson.

ONE MEETING TURNED INTO A COMMUNITY EFFORT

Pierson is president of Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte NC-15, the local chapter of the national Blue Star Mothers of America organization.

According to reporting from WSOC-TV's Erika Jackson, Pierson met Ackermann at the VA and learned what had happened.

Blue Star Mothers stepped in.

The organization began collecting furniture, food, clothing and other necessities Ackermann would need as he worked to rebuild his life.

And soon, they weren't the only ones helping.

The U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame sponsored a shopping trip to help replace everyday necessities.

Veteran-owned Ranger Construction provided space to store donated furniture and other items while Ackermann was staying in a hotel.

Fellow veteran Harry Woods helped move furniture into Ackermann's temporary rental home.

What started with one connection became a network of people and organizations helping one veteran get back on his feet.

MORE THAN 80 YEARS OF MILITARY MOMS SERVING OTHERS

The Charlotte chapter is part of Blue Star Mothers of America, a national nonprofit whose history stretches back more than eight decades.

The organization was founded in 1942 as mothers across the country watched their sons and daughters leave home to serve during World War II.

Today, the organization includes more than 6,000 members across nearly 200 chapters.

Its mission has grown into something much larger than a support network for military moms.

Blue Star Mothers volunteer with veterans, support military families, send care packages to deployed service members and assist families who have lost loved ones in service.

Here in the Charlotte area, that mission is carried out by Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte NC-15.

And sometimes the mission isn't complicated.

Someone needs help.

They show up.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE: STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION

Ackermann's story also highlighted a practical challenge facing Blue Star Mothers as they try to help more veterans.

They need places to put donations and ways to move them.

Blue Star Mothers of North Carolina told WSOC-TV that storage containers and delivery trucks would help the organization collect, store and deliver items for veterans facing situations like Ackermann's.

It's easy to overlook how important those resources can be.

An unused storage space doesn't seem like much.

Neither does access to a truck for an afternoon.

But when someone's home is destroyed and a community begins donating furniture, clothing and household necessities, suddenly both become incredibly valuable.

THE CHARLOTTE IMPACT

There are plenty of organizations whose mission statements tell you what they believe.

Stories like this show you.

A Navy veteran lost nearly everything.

A Blue Star Mother met him at the VA, heard what happened and decided her organization was going to help.

Then other veterans, nonprofits, volunteers and a veteran-owned Charlotte business joined the effort.

Furniture was collected. Necessities were purchased. Donations were stored. Volunteers showed up to move everything.

One person's crisis became a community effort.

Ackermann described the people helping him to WSOC-TV as a "real godsend."

And somewhere in the middle of that effort were the Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte, doing exactly what they've been organized to do: showing up for the people and families who have served.

That's Charlotte impact worth recognizing.

Know a Charlotte organization, volunteer or neighbor making an impact? Carolina Impact Weekly wants to hear about them. Send us the story so we can help more people in Charlotte know about the people doing good in our community.