What the partnership between the Flying Pig Marathon and Blue Star Families doesn’t have is a finish line. The work is everlasting, rewarding and much needed.
The connection grew out of a shared goal of building community for military-connected children and families who often feel far from rooted.
“What makes our organization unique is that we welcome our civilian neighbors to be part of our community,” said Dr. Geri Maples, program director of Blue Star Families’ Dayton and Southwest Ohio chapter. “We want people to understand what our military and veteran families go through and how they can do their part to support them.”
Blue Star Families’ mission has found a powerful ally in the Flying Pig, which recently earned the non-profit organization’s “Partner of the Year” award.
“It’s really important to us because we don’t do this work alone,” Maples said. “It takes a community effort. It takes partners who believe in our mission and what we’re doing is beneficial to the families that we serve.”
Flying Pig Marathon, Blue Star Families partnership rooted in children
The relationship took shape through an initiative to support “Purple Star Kids” and “Hidden Helper” children, youth growing up in military families or caregiving households.
With the help of Flying Pig Youth Program Coordinator Derek Mast, Blue Star Families was able to make a difference for those kids in Southwest Ohio schools.
Together, they built a program that blended physical activity with connection as they encouraged kids to track movement in everyday life from sports practices to gym class and just playing outside.
“We launched a full youth program geared to getting these kids active throughout the day,” Maples said. “More importantly, it gave them a way to connect with each other and feel like they belonged.
“These kids feel so isolated. Their experiences are unique, and sometimes their classmates don’t understand what life looks like for them outside of school. This gave them a chance to come together and celebrate each other.”
The growing needs of Blue Star Families in Southwest Ohio
It’s that kind of impact that led to the Flying Pig being named the Partner of the Year by Blue Star Families in February, six years after the Dayton/Southwest Ohio chapter was founded.
Maples pointed to the organization’s willingness for year-round engagement, not just on marathon weekend each spring.
“Derek and the whole Flying Pig organization have been instrumental in helping us further our impact in a positive way,” she explained. “What we’re doing is really about empowering future leaders and giving them tools they need to success.”
According to its website, Blue Star Families is “committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors − individuals and organizations − to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we’re all stronger when we care for one another.”
The organization has reached more than 1.5 million family members annually and distributed $336 million in support since its founding in 2009.
Through partnerships like with the Flying Pig, a national mission turns into local outcomes. In Southwest, Ohio, those are increasingly urgent.
Maples, a military spouse and caregiver to a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, sees the challenges firsthand. Through the organization’s annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey, Blue Star Families has tracked rising levels of need, especially in Ohio.
“In 2024, 17% of our families told us they used some form of food distribution. In 2025, that number rose to 25%,” she said.
As deployment numbers in Southwest Ohio rise, so do the requests for everything from food assistance, diapers and help covering basic expenses.
“Over the last few months, my phone has been ringing,” Maples said. “Families are dealing with financial stressors, deployment, childcare challenges. There’s a wide range of needs.”
Programs like “Nourish the Service,” which provides food, hygiene items and access to other resources help meet those challenges head-on. Upcoming initiatives include a community-wide distribution event July 1 in celebration of America’s semi-quincentennial and a baby shower for expecting military moms in June.
Blue Star Welcome Week is held at the end of September for new military families that have come to Ohio or that already live in the state and want to be introduced to the organization.
Flying Pig Marathon weekend offers miles of impact for Blue Star Families
This weekend, Blue Star Families’ work directly hits the Cincinnati streets.
Runners participating in Flying Pig events can choose to support Blue Star Families through donations on the marathon’s website.
“It’s always important to support our families,” Maples said. “Right now, especially, with deployments increasing, the need is there.”
Maples will be among those taking part, walking the 10K on Saturday, May 2 with a $2,000 fundraising goal. Runners can also buy a ticket to enter the “Piggest Raffle Ever” for $5.
The Flying Pig’s impact goes beyond just miles and medals. It offers a way to give back lasting moments of relief and belonging to families who need it most.
“I always say I’m blessed because I get to get up every day and give back to those who are just like me,” Maples said. “We give families a chance to step away from the stressors, to feel supported, to feel connected.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Flying Pig Marathon offers miles of impact for Blue Star Families
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
