Category Archives: Military Children Programs

Pictures for Patriots Contest Voting Begins June 20th on Facebook

Posted on by vfwlady

From May 25th through June 15th K-12 students nationwide were invited to enter the “Pictures for Patriots” Contest.  Sponsored by Operation Gratitude and True Religion Brand Jeans, the top 10 entries will be shared on Facebook beginning June 20th so that all of America can vote for their favorite picture.

•All 10 Finalists will be featured in the next Operation Gratitude Magazine (that will be sent in 100,000 care packages this year), and the entry receiving the most votes will be featured on the cover!

So here’s what we have to do, America:

  1. Visit the Operation Gratitude Facebook page on June 20 to see the Top 10 Finalists in their photo album.
  2. “Like” the Operation Gratitude Facebook page to vote for your favorite drawing between June 20 – July 3
  3. “Like” your Favorite Drawing; Each “Like” equals one vote
  4. The three drawings with the most “Likes” at 11:59 pm PDT on July 3 will be the Grand Prize Winners! The entry with the most votes will be placed on the cover of the next Operation Gratitude Magazine.  The top 3 winners will also receive  (3) $500 Donation to each Winner’s school and an iPod!

So get on Facebook and support this program!  Thank you, Operation Gratitude for finding this creative way to “Support Our Troops” and America’s Youth.

Summer Scholarship Showcase: Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships

Posted on by vfwlady

For the children of fallen and disabled service members,

from the Fisher House Foundation.

The “Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships” program honors not only those who have fallen in battle, but all who have died or have become disabled through their active military service since September 11, 2001. The program is open to their dependent unmarried children under age 23. A disability is defined as one that results in the service member being eligible for, and receiving, Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or a permanent and total disability compensation rating of 100%.

Selected recipients will receive a scholarship grant, not to exceed the costs of tuition, books, lab fees, room and board, to any accredited U. S. post-secondary institution of high learning. The amount of the scholarship may be reduced by other funds that the student has received, from federal or state government programs or other grants.

To see if you may qualify, click here

Discover other scholarship opportunities here

The “Summer Scholarship Showcase” is a month-long series of blogs (May 30, 2011-June 30, 2011) written by the vfwlady, Laurie Cox.  Each post is designed to promote a wide variety of annual grants and scholarship competitions available to K-12 students.  All scholarships featured are solely sponsored by a menagerie of  Not-For-Profit Veterans Support Groups and organizations.

Summer Scholarship Showcase: ASYMCA Youth Art and Essay Contest for Military Children

Posted on by vfwlady


The annual Armed Services Young Men’s Christian Association (ASYMCA) Art and Essay Contest is officially launched every November and is open to all eligible children of U.S. active duty or retired service members. Winners are chosen the following spring.

Winners of both the art and essay contests have their winning entries displayed in a number of locations in the Washington, D.C., area, including in the Russell Rotunda, and are recognized at an annual luncheon on Capitol Hill.  The ASYMCA awards U.S. Savings bonds totaling $7,600 to 1st and 2nd place winners of both contests.

For more information click here

The “Summer Scholarship Showcase” is a month-long series of blogs (May 30, 2011-June 30, 2011) written by the vfwlady, Laurie Cox.  Each post is designed to promote a wide variety of annual grants and scholarship competitions available to K-12 students.  All scholarships featured are solely sponsored by a menagerie of  Not-For-Profit Veterans Support Groups and organizations.

See other scholarship opportunities here

Child Care Assistance for Military Families

Posted on by vfwlady

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency:

“NACCRRA is working with the U.S. Military Services to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs. Through several innovative civilian/military efforts between the Services, NACCRRA and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are building the quality and capacity of child care throughout the country.”

Visit their website, and click on your Branch Seal for more information!


Armed Services YMCA: Operation Kid Comfort and Operation Hero

Posted on by vfwlady

Two of the best programs for military children come from one of the few “A” rated military charities around: The Armed Services YMCA.  The AYMCA’s “Operation Kid Comfort” and “Operation Hero” programs help to protect the intellectual and social welfare of military family children in unique ways.

Operation Kid Comfort provides custom made quilts to ages 6 and under (or pillows to ages 7 and up) as moral support while a parent is deployed.  To request a quilt or pillow for a military child, or to volunteer to make an item for donation click here

Operation Hero addresses the more serious needs of children ages 6-12 who are experiencing difficulty in school due to deployments and military lifestyle (moving) by providing after school mentoring and tutor assistance.  For more information, start here