April is Month of the Military Child
Highlighting the important role military children play in the armed forces community, Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome. Military children face many obstacles unique to their situation, such as having a parent deployed for extended periods of time and frequently being uprooted from school.
Throughout the month, military commands and communities across the nation will plan special events to honor military children. These events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle. Soldiers' Angels honors the military child with our Soldiers' Angels Month of the Military Child proclamation (available for download at www.soldiersangels.org.)
In honor of our nation's military children, Soldiers' Angels will be kicking off a new initiative in honor of KIDS SERVE TOO called "C.A.M.O." or Creative Arts Military Operation.
C.A.M.O. is founder Patti Patton-Baders' vision for the new reading and arts program for military kids. Angels are encouraged to create this program across the nation, especially where there is not active FRGs or where National Guard families don't have the built-in support system that active duty families do.
The major focus is hosting interactive story times as a starting point with the vision to branch into theatre arts music and crafts with the children. C.A.M.O. is an opportunity for Angels to support military families and assist the children to advance in their reading and language skills in a fun way. During the storytime, children have the opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning. Angels wanting to start up this program are encouraged to contact ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
Another great Soldiers' Angels team to join in honor of the military child is Operation Top Knot, a nationwide network of service clubs and individuals who sew, knit and shop to create gift baskets for infants and expectant mothers in military families. Team members knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and design blankets, booties, hats, onesies, bibs, and many more homemade gifts. They also assemble and deliver gift baskets full of goodies such as bottles, diapers, onesies, pacifiers, washcloths, grooming kits, and more. Additionally, they make sure to remember Dad by sending "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" bubblegum cigars to wherever he is stationed. Join Operation Top Knot today.
During Month of the Military Child, Soldiers' Angels salutes Operation Military Kids (OMK) with their nationwide partnership of military and civilian organizations that coordinate social, recreational, and educational opportunities for school-age military kids in their communities. OMK encourages partners like 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the American Legion to sponsor Month of the Military Child local events. Visit their website for more information and some great ideas to support the children of our United States Armed Forces!
Soldiers' Angels Month of the Military Child Proclamation:
Whereas, Thousands of brave Americans have demonstrated their
courage and commitment to freedom by serving the armed forces of the
United States of America in active duty posts around the world; and,
Whereas, More than 40 percent of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
Marines have left families with children behind; and,
Whereas, More than one million of America's children have at least
one parent currently serving active military duty; and,
Whereas, These children are a source of pride and honor to us all,
and it is only fitting that we take time to recognize their contributions,
celebrate their spirit, and let our men and women in uniform know that
while they're taking care of us, we're taking care of their children; and,
Whereas, The recognition of the "Month of the Military Child" will
allow us to pay tribute to military children for their commitment, their
struggles and their unconditional support of our troops, because when
parents serve in the military, their Kids Serve Too; and,
Whereas, A month-long salute to military children will encourage
support for "Kids Serve Too" and other organizations and campaigns
established to provide direct support to military children and families;
and now therefore be it, Resolved, That Soldiers' Angels does hereby
proclaim April, as The Month of the Military Child.
We encourage Americans to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies
and activities that honor, support and thank military children.
Patti Patton-Bader
Founder and CEO of Soldiers' Angels
www.SoldiersAngels.org
