Our Military Kids

Take this quiz to test your knowledge of military families and this month’s spotlight organization, Our Military Kids!  Answers can be found at the end of the post.

1)     What percent of U.S. citizens serve in the U.S. Military?

a)     3.5%

b)     2.5%

c)      1.0%

d)     1.3%

       2) What percent of military service members have children?

a)     48%

b)     42.6%

c)      87%

d)     99.9%

e)     none of the above

3)     What percent of veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder?

a)     88%

b)     56%

c)      22%

d)     20%

4)     When did PTSD become a recognized mental disorder?

a)     1492

b)     1597

c)      1981

d)     1980

e)     2001

      5)  Which of these organizations will provide aid to military families and veterans?

a)     Our Military Kids

b)     Blue Star Moms

c)      Operation Gratitude

d)     USO

e)     All of the above

6)     True or False: You must be an active military member to receive benefits from charities and government organizations?

a)     True

b)     False

     7) If an Our Military Kid is feeling lonely or sad, who can they reach out to?

a)     Organizations such as Our Military kids

b)     A parent

c)      Friends and sports teams

d)     School counselors

e)     All of the above

8)     Our Military Kids has donated how much to military children?

a)     $20,000

b)     $200,000

c)      $525,600

d)     $20,000,000

     9) True or False: Our Military Kids only provides aid to children and families in-state.

a)     True

b)     False

10) Our Military Kids is a non-profit: True or False?

a)     True

b)     False

This month’s spotlight organization is Our Military Kids.  Check out the information below to learn more about them!

This month’s organization is called Our Military Kids. Many military children are in need of support in times of adversity. This national organization provides grants to children of service members from all branches of the military.  These grants allow the children of military families the ability to participate in extracurricular activities.  Over 50,000 grants have been awarded for the fine arts, sports, and tutoring, totaling to over 200 million dollars. 

            “The grant from Our Military Kids was a true financial blessing.  This camp gave her the opportunity to train with gymnasts on the U.S. team for the first time,” said the mother of two time Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas.  Gabby received a grant from Our Military Kids to attend a key gymnastics camp that helped her Olympic career.  Her father served in the International Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2003.  Thanks to Our Military Kids, America will be able to root for Gabby in the 2016 summer Olympics!

This national organization started in Virginia and quickly spread to touch the lives of many military families all over the country.  Linda Davidson, one of the founders of Our Military Kids, started the organization in 2004 solely to benefit the military children in the state of Virginia.  Due to the positive effects of these grants, she expanded the organization at a national level in 2006. 

Thank you Ms. Davidson and the numerous donors for supporting the children of our nation’s heroes!

Consider volunteering at one (or all!) of these organizations to make an impact for service members and their loved ones.  For even more youth and family volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.

Operation Homefront

Website: www.operationhomefront.net

 Goals:

·         Assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and financial assistance.

·         Assists wounded soldiers recover.

·         Supports every military family member. They host a gala each year that recognizes an extraordinary military child and host multiple Homefront Celebrations each year to show their appreciation to military spouses.

Volunteer Opportunities

·         Social media assistant

·         Representative at events

·         General volunteer

·         Pick up/deliveries

·         Special events

Operation Gratitude

Website: www.operationgratitude.com

Goal: annually sends 150,000+ care packages filed with snack, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items plus personal letters of appreciation to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warrior, Care Givers, and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas.

Volunteer Opportunities:

·         Letters of gratitude

·         Collect food and other supplies to send

·         Donate vehicles

·         Financial donations

Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Laying

Website: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

Goal: The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world, understood in every culture. These types of memorials are made each day at Arlington National Cemetery, at the dozens of funeral services occurring there and in solitary communion with a departed loved one. More formal ceremonies involve the laying of a wreath and the attendance of others at this ritual. These, too, are held frequently at Arlington.

Volunteer Opportunities:

·         lay a wreath down during a ceremony

·         Participate in Wreaths Across America on Saturday, December 13 which involves laying wreaths throughout the cemetery.

Quiz answer key:

1.)C // 2.)B // 3.)D // 4.)D // 5.)E // 6.)B // 7.)E // 8.)D // 9.)B // 10.)A