Connie Milstein and BSF Team Efforts

Blue Star Families – the organization that was set up to help the military by assisting their families – seeks to “connect the community of military families, both active duty and veterans, regardless of rank, and provide them with the support and empowerment they need to create the best personal and family life possible.” BSF Director Connie Milstein saw the need for this service, which really joins together the soldiers, their families and the community at large. The BSF posts blog spots for this aim, writing about topics that are of interest to everyone. Military families can receive advice and support on how to cope when their soldiers that are deployed and sorting out everyday life matters on their own during this time. Just recently, a chapter director of BSF from southern California, Reyna Reyna, commented on how their efforts were towards raising “awareness of BSF to military families who live off base….Often when families live in the civilian community they feel isolated, especially when their spouse deploys, she said. “They think they don’t have the same opportunities or benefits as if they lived on base.” There are so many ways that the community at large can get involved in helping the military and their families, and the BSF seeks to be a bridge between the two.

Blue Star Families Lifestyle Survey

Earlier this week Blue Star Families released its 2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, in an attempt to get an idea of the major issues encountered by these families. The results were: “pay and benefits, the current operational tempo, the effects of deployments on children, spouse employment, and childrens education.”

Some months after the original survey was conducted, these results were presented at a Senate and House Military Family Caucuses joint session. It was then cited by a White House Report, ‘Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment.’ This was the “culmination of a Presidential Directive and the findings of the Military Family Interagency Committee, created in 2010 to institutionalize support for military families as a national security priority.”

Thus the initiative undertaken by Blue Star Families has been successful. A commitment has been made by President Barack Obama and his wife, along with Jill Biden for “Federal agencies to establish a coordinated and comprehensive Federal approach to supporting military families.” The goal is to now address four main areas: a) enhance the military family’s physical and mental welfare; b) excellent education and development for military children; c) establish “career and educational opportunities for military spouses” and d) improved and increased child care options.
A big supporter of the work of BSF is Connie Milstein, who sits on the Board of Directors.

HDI Spokeswoman Mary Wilson Sings with Connie Milstein at Dinner

Back in July of 2008, Connie Milstein hosted a dinner for the Humpty Dumpty Institute in which the HDI spokesperson, Mary Wilson, formerly of the Supremes, sang a few of her favorite songs. The mission of the HDI is to create innovative public and private partnerships which will lead to creative ways to solve some of the world’s most daunting humanitarian problems.

Featured in the photo above in Ms. Wilson singing one of her hit songs along with Connie Milstein.

Book Celebration at Jefferson Hotel with Connie Milstein

On January 24th, Ron Reagan will be celebrating the up and coming publication of his memoir, “My Father at 100,” at the Washington, DC Jefferson Hotel. The book’s forthcoming appearance coincides with the 100th birthday of the 40th President of the United States. Joining hostess Connie Milstein to celebrate will be her husband JC de La Haye Saint Hilaire, Tammy Haddad, Ted Greenberg, Jon Meacham and many others who will be there by invitation only.

Connie Milstein and Heart’s Delight

Back in May, Heart’s Delight held their 11th annual Vintner’s Dinner at the elegant Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C. Connie Milstein was on hand as the event Chairwoman. Ms. Milstein’s interest and dedication to research into heart disease goes back to Connie’s first paid job working for the Heart Association of North Carolina.

Connie Milstein Throws Book Bash For Former PM Brown

Former Prime Minister of England, Gordon Brown, was welcomed with a festive book premiere by Connie Milstein last Saturday at her Washington D.C. Jefferson Hotel. The party was sponsored by Ms. Milstein along with her husband J.C. de La Haye St. Hilaire and with additional help from her friends Ted Greenberg and Tammy Haddad.

Gordon Brown is promoting his new book “Beyond the Crash: Overcoming the First Crisis of Globalization” across the world.

View the following video and hear some introductory remarks from Connie Milstein and a discussion of some of the ideas in ex prime minister Brown's book.

Connie Milstein Attends Mark Twain Award Event

This photo was taken at the Mark Twain Award event at Kennedy Center. In the picture are Susan Sher, Ted Greenberg and Connie Milstein.