Recognizing Over Two Decades of Support
Since 2004, OMK has funded activities for thousands of eligible military children.
For anyone who’s been raised in a military home or grown up around the ranks, it should come as no great surprise that having a parent in service can make for a tough go. Whether it’s constantly being the “new kid” to feeling the weight of the empty chair when mom or dad are on deployment to attending to an injured or ill parent in recovery – it's a lot. The mission of Our Military Kids is vital to letting kids be kids through funding essential activities including sports, arts, music and more.
For over 20 years now, Our Military Kids has provided extracurricular activity grants to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel, as well as children of wounded warriors from all service branches.
GETTING DOWN TO THE DETAILS
THE WHO
Children with ages 1-18 with either a parent deployed with the National Guard or reserve or a parent from any branch of service receiving care for combat-related injuries or illness.
THE WHAT
Up to $300 in grants for activities including camps, sports, fine arts, STEM, tutoring, martial arts, yo-yo, driver’s ed, robotics, scouts, 4-H, acrobatics, and bull riding.
THE WHEN
During stressful times when a parent is deployed overseas or activated for a stateside mission or when a parent is receiving care for post 9-11, combat-related injuries.
THE WHY
OMK-funded activities improve children’s mental wellness, service member morale, overall family wellbeing and
connection to community.
THE WHERE
In communities across all 50 states and four
U.S. territories.
100K ACTIVITIES AWARDED:
GAVIN’S STORY
This past November, Our Military Kids hit a major milestone by totaling 100,000 activity awards given out. These awards helped drive $36 million in support for military children nationwide, with the 100,000-award recipient being an 8-year-old kid named Gavin.
During his mother’s National Guard deployment, Gavin put his Our Military Kids activity award toward his hockey fees. The award included a check, personalized award certificate, dog tags, patch, and other goodies. In response, Gavin’s family sent a video back expressing their gratitude and emphasizing how much the award meant during a difficult year.
THE WINNERS OF THE 5TH ANNUAL COURAGEOUS KIDS CONTEST
GRAYSON (8)
AIR FORCE VETERAN MILITARY CHILD
STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTIVITY: YO-YO
ANNALISE (8)
AIR FORCE VETERAN MILITARY CHILD
STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTIVITY: ANIMAL CARE
ANNABELLA (8)
AIR FORCE VETERAN MILITARY CHILD
STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTIVITY: BALLET
Annabella, Grayson, and Annalise are the children of a U.S. Air Force veteran receiving care for post-9/11, combat-related injuries. Through hospital visits and changes at home, they’ve supported one another—especially by cheering each other on in ballet, yo-yo, and animal care.
MATTHEW (9)
NAVY RESERVE MILITARY CHILD
STATE: NEW JERSEY
ACTIVITY: HOCKEY, PIANO
During his father’s deployment, Matthew emerged as a leader on his hockey team, meeting each challenge with courage and resilience. He aspires to become a Navy and Air Force jet pilot, a company CEO and President, the President of the United States, and to one day perform his own piano compositions for
an audience.
PEYTON (14)
HIDDEN HELPER HERO MILITARY KID
STATE: MISSOURI
ACTIVITY: SOFTBALL
In early 2024, Peyton lost her stepfather to suicide. Later that year, she courageously shared her story onstage at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Helpers Summit and the EDF Heroes & History Makers Gala, raising awareness about the impact of
Veteran suicide.
ALEJANDRO (14)
HIDDEN HELPER HERO MILITARY KID
STATE: MARYLAND
Activities: Cycling, Bible Reads,
Board Games
Alejandro is a caregiving child of a U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps veteran receiving treatment for combat-related injuries. An avid cyclist, he dreams of earning a yellow jersey at the Tour de France, a rainbow jersey in downhill racing, and pursuing a career in recreational and adaptive sports therapy.
MATTY (13)
HIDDEN HELPER HERO MILITARY KID
STATE: VIRGINIA
ACTIVITY: BOOK CLUB
Matty is the caregiving child of a U.S. Army veteran receiving treatment for combat-related injuries. During this time, he has become a role model for fellow Hidden Helper caregiving children —advocating for military families and helping raise therapy animals on his family’s farm. He aspires to work on space vehicles such as the Mars rover.
WILLIS (11)
AIR FORCE RESERVE MILITARY KID
STATE: ARKANSAS
ACTIVITY: ART, OUTDOOR PLAY, MUSIC
During her father’s deployment with the Air Force Reserve, Willis supported her family through a move while continuing her passion for community service. She aspires to excel academically, strengthen her clarinet, piano, and drumming skills, and remain an active volunteer in her community.
EMMELINE (11)
MARINE CORPS VETERAN MILITARY KID
STATE: TEXAS
ACTIVITY: BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, KARATE
The child of a combat-injured U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Emmeline heroically assisted her father and siblings during a rollover car accident in April 2024. Since then, she has faced her own medical journey while continuing to help care for her father. Emmeline aspires to become a veterinarian.
JACKSON (13)
AIR NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY KID
STATE: SOUTH DAKOTA
Activities: BASKETBALL, RUNNING, SAXOPHONE
During his father’s deployment with the U.S. Air National Guard, Jackson became a role model at home and a leader across activities including 4-H, basketball, and jazz band. He aspires to earn his driver’s license, buy his own car, win a state title in basketball or cross country, and study engineering at the University of Kansas.
ADELYNN (15)
ARMY VETERAN MILITARY KID
STATE: MICHIGAN
ACTIVITIES: ANIMAL CARE,
TRACK AND FIELD, GOLF
While her father, a combat-injured U.S. Army veteran, undergoes treatment, Adelynn has excelled as a leader on her family’s farm and a role model for her siblings. She aspires to become a large livestock veterinarian, combining her love for animals with a desire to serve her community.
ROMAN (7)
MARINE CORPS RESERVE MILITARY KID
STATE: TEXAS
Activites: Football, Baseball,
Track and Field
During her father’s deployment with the Air Force Reserve, Willis supported her family through a move while continuing her passion for community service. She aspires to excel academically, strengthen her clarinet, piano, and drumming skills, and remain an active volunteer in her community.
ASHLEY (7)
NAVY VETERAN MILITARY KID
STATE: CALIFORNIA
ACTIVITIES: TAE KWON DO, SWIMMING
Ashley’s mother, a U.S. Navy veteran, is receiving treatment for combat-related injuries. During this time, Ashley has excelled in academics and after-school activities, facing each challenge with positivity and serving as a role model for her younger sister. She aspires to become President of the United States to support underprivileged communities.
ALEXA (14)
ARMY RESERVE
MILITARY KID
STATE: FLORIDA
Activities: VOLLEYBALL, SINGING
During her father’s deployment with the U.S. Army Reserve, Alexa attended a summer camp funded by Our Military Kids, which inspired her to volunteer and serve as a role model for her younger sister. She aspires to become a physical therapist and continue giving back to her community.
XAVIER (16)
NATIONAL GUARD VETERAN MILITARY KID
STATE: GEORGIA
ACTIVITIES: TRACK AND FIELD, COOKING
Xavier’s mother, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, is receiving treatment for combat-related injuries. Amid her treatment and several cross-country moves, Xavier has supported his family and community through his love of cooking and helping others. He one day wants to open his own café, compete in a triathlon, and travel the world.
ACE (13)
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY KID
STATE: PENNSYLVANIA
ACTIVITIES: WRESTLING, FISHING
Ace, a student-athlete, served as a role model and leader for his family and his wrestling and football teams during his father’s deployment with the Army National Guard. He aspires to join the military, wrestle at Penn State, and pursue a career in sports broadcasting.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Our Military Kids offers grants for a wide range of activities. Since 2004, Our Military Kids have never turned down an eligible military child. To check if your child meets the program requirements, apply today.
Our Military Kids offers grants for a wide range of activities. Since 2004, Our Military Kids have never turned down an eligible military child. To check if your child meets the program requirements, apply today.