Fortunately, Collins also knows what community feels like. At the beginning of the deployment, her mother, Ciara, paid for Collins’ swim lessons through funding from Our Military Kids. Serving military families for more than two decades, Our Military Kids funds activities for the children (ages 1-18) of deployed Reserve or National Guard service members and the children of Veterans and service members currently receiving care for their post-9/11 combat-related injuries and illnesses.

Funding—called activity awards—can be applied to a wide variety of activities, including sports, art and music classes, camps, tutoring, and driver’s education. And—yes!—funding is available for toddler and pre-K kids, too. For the military community’s youngest, age-appropriate activities like mommy and me, classes and toddler music lessons give their families time to bond and make memories.

Collins’ swim lessons have been a point of connection for her entire family. Her dad video-calls into classes, enabling him to watch Collins and Ciara play in the water together. The opportunity to join virtually “makes him happy to see her in her element and feel like he’s not missing out on everything while he’s gone,” said Ciara. Collins is thriving with support from Our Military Kids—she’s learning new skills, having new experiences, and spending quality time with her mom. And Ciara is feeling supported, too: “I’m a new stay-at-home mom, and it has been lonely and isolating… Swim class has been a blessing because it gets us out of the house and around other people…”

That’s not just a coincidence, it’s by design. Over the past 22 years, Our Military Kids beneficiaries have repeatedly noted the positive impact that activities have on the household. Their 2026 Impact Report found that 96% of participating families saw improvement in family wellbeing and 92% reported a positive impact on the service member or Veteran’s morale.

In 2026, Our Military Kids has seen a 16% increase in demand over the same time last year, which is likely to increase this summer as families continue to experience deployments and treatment for combat-related injuries and illnesses. Our Military Kids stands with families and supports children as they experience some of the hardest times in their lives. Military families can check their eligibility and apply for activity awards at any time.

This summer, Collins is the face of Our Military Kids’ fundraising appeal — the Give Military Kids the Freedom to Be Kids Campaign, her happy smile illuminating the importance of activities for all children. Donations from new donors will be doubled, up to $20,000, now until August 31, 2026, thanks to the Pritzker Military Foundation. Interested in supporting other military children like Collins? Learn more about Our Military Kids and help them meet their fundraising goal.

That’s not the only thing Our Military Kids is doing this summer. Children of any age and military branch affiliation are invited to add their artwork to Gallery 250—an online display of art in celebration of America’s birthday and 250 years of U.S. military kids. Here’s how to participate:

• Download free coloring pages at ourmilitarykids.org/gallery250
• Take a picture of your kids’ completed masterpieces.
• Post the picture on social media by tagging @ourmilitarykids and #ourmilitarykids or emailing the photo to social@ourmilitarykids.org so that Our Military Kids can add your child’s artwork to the online gallery.

About Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity awards to children ages 1-18 of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans/Service Members receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply at ourmilitarykids.org.

The 6^th Annual Courageous Kids Contest was made possible thanks to Champion Sponsor Koons Tysons Toyota, Presenting Sponsors HII and Navy Federal Credit Union, and Star Sponsors GOVX, Humana Military, and the Pilot Company. “As the Champion Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we extend our gratitude and support to National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran families and thank them for their service to our Nation,” said Amar Rana, General Manager of Koons Tysons Toyota.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s Courageous Kids,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “We know their stories of perseverance and leadership will inspire confidence in our next generation!”

This year’s winners include musicians, caregivers, aspiring pilots, Scouts, an entrepreneur, a nonprofit founder, a firefighter, advocates, and athletes.

“As a 2026 Presenting Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we salute military children everywhere whose bravery, leadership, and resilience inspires our Nation,” said Jerome Tennille, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact at Navy Federal Credit Union.

This year’s Courageous Kids Contest winners are:

• Justin, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the National Guard/Reserve Veteran category
• Kinley and Michael, 12 and 14, from Indiana, winning in the Army Reserve category
• Gabriella Grace, 18, from Oklahoma, winning in the Army Reserve category
• Jocelyn, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the Air Force Reserve category
• Catherine, 6, from Louisiana, winning in the Coast Guard Reserve category
• Jax, 4, from California, winning in the Marine Corps Reserve category
• Aubrial, Isaiah, Hansen, Titus, and Theodore, 16, 14, 12, 11, and 6, from Michigan, winning in the Navy Reserve category
• Hannah, 14, from Nevada, winning in the Army National Guard category
• Paisley-Kate, 13, from Texas, winning in the Army National Guard category
• BreeAnna, 18, from Idaho, winning in the Air National Guard category
• Gianna and Dylan, 9 and 12, from South Carolina, winning in the Air National Guard category
• Vyolet, 16, from Colorado, winning in the Army Veteran category
• Xavier, 18, from Virginia, winning in the Air Force Veteran category
• Connor, 17, from New Hampshire, winning in the Marine Corps Veteran category
• Francesco, 14, from Louisiana, winning in the Navy Veteran category
• Natalee, 16, from Iowa, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
• Elysia, 16, from Nevada, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
• Jack, 17, from California, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
• Andie, 11, from North Carolina, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
• Atlas, 10, from Indiana, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category

“From building ships and advanced technologies to building character, HII believes that it is important to stand alongside our nation’s service members. Our repeat sponsorship of the Courageous Kids Contest affirms our commitment to supporting and celebrating those on the home-front, too,” said Edmond Hughes, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at HII.

Winners will each receive a cash stipend, national recognition, prizes from GOVX, and certificates. Our Military Kids is sharing their stories through feature articles and on social media throughout April.

About Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids is a national nonprofit that offers year-round activity funding for the children (ages 1-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans and service members from any branch who are receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply at: ourmilitarykids.org/apply

To mark this achievement, Our Military Kids is thrilled to introduce 8-year-old Gavin, the 100,000th activity award recipient. During his mother’s National Guard deployment, Gavin is using an Our Military Kids activity award to pay for his hockey fees.

Moved by the impact of receiving his activity award packet — which came not only with a check for hockey, but a personalized award certificate, dog tags, patch, and more — Gavin’s family sent in a video expressing their gratitude:

<<WATCH GAVIN’S VIDEO>>

“Gavin was over the moon and became very emotional about the award,” his mother told us. “It really does show what this program does for the kids, especially during a vulnerable time in their lives. This activity award was especially helpful during this time of uncertainty with the government shut down and me being overseas. Thank you again so much!”

Since 2004, Our Military Kids has funded a wide range of programs — from soccer, baseball, and art classes to Scouts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and computer coding — helping children explore passions, develop new skills, and create lasting memories despite the challenges of military life.

This milestone has been made possible due to the generosity of Our Military Kids investors and partners, whose dedication continues to light the way for thousands of military families navigating hardship and variability.

Even as Our Military Kids celebrates 100,000 activity awards given, this crucial work is not done. With thousands of families serving and receiving combat-injury care, there are even more children waiting, worrying, and needing a reminder that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

<<DONATE TO SUPPORT MORE CHILDREN>>

Our Military Kids stands steadfast in supporting these families for the next 100,000 activities and beyond.

About Our Military Kids®

Our Military Kids is a national nonprofit offering activity awards for children (ages 1-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, OR Veterans receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply online at: ourmilitarykids.org

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND APPLY FOR ACTIVITY FUNDING

Our Military Kids activity awards are proven to build children’s self-confidence, enhance overall family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Children are empowered to select an activity in their local communities, whether it’s horseback riding, gymnastics, swimming lessons, art classes, or driver’s education, and have expenses covered by Our Military Kids activity awards throughout their parent’s deployment or combat-injury care.

One Army National Guard spouse shared: “When my husband deployed overseas, it hit our youngest son, Aidan, really hard. He didn’t want to go to school and had night terrors. I felt so alone. I didn’t know how to fix it.

His therapist said he needed something he loves, something he can control. That thing was football, but we just couldn’t afford it. We applied for a grant from Our Military Kids so he could play, and that program saved him. He had mentors, father figures, friends that came back season after season. He had consistency. And I had support. I felt seen.”

Throughout their father’s deployment, Aidan and his brother Colin each received Our Military Kids activity awards to cover football fees and swimming lessons, lifting a weight from the entire family’s shoulders.

“When Our Military Kids stepped in, just knowing this organization was helping take care of my family while I was gone was a huge relief,” their father told us. “It allowed me to refocus and re-engage with my job and did wonders for my own mental health.”

APPLY ONLINE

For siblings Gibson and Mattis, support from Our Military Kids throughout the years as their father receives care for combat-related injuries has been monumental. From cheerleading, football, lacrosse, swimming lessons, summer camp, and more, Our Military Kids activity funding has kept them active and thriving during this time.

Their father, a combat-injured U.S. Army Veteran, shared: “Our daughter Gibson is named after my best friend who was killed in action during our tour in Iraq. She emulates his kindness and teamwork during her cheer, swim, and lacrosse seasons.”

Learn more about Our Military Kids, see the impact stories, and check your family’s eligibility and online at: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org

“Playing sports is now most important to Joaquin because he knows it makes his dad happy,” said his mother, Sofia. “This is his outlet and a way for Joaquin and his father to share time together. We weren’t sure if we could afford his football this year. Our Military Kids activity awards are important and needed for situations like this.”

READ JOAQUIN’S STORY

Our Military Kids funds extracurricular activities for children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, and post-9/11 Veterans and service members from any branch receiving care for combat injuries or illness, including those with presumptive conditions outlined in the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

“As more Veterans seek care for conditions caused by exposure to burn pits and other toxins, Our Military Kids stands ready to support their children in the activities they love,” said OMK Executive Director Kara Dallman. “These activities benefit teens like Joaquin, improve Veterans’ morale, and enhance family wellbeing during a difficult time.”

According to the Our Military Kids 2024-2025 Annual Survey, 93% of service members and Veterans experienced improved morale due to their child’s OMK-funded activity. But without assistance from Our Military Kids, 82% of families would not have afforded the activity at all, or it would have caused financial strain.

Support from funders like DAV CST allows Our Military Kids to continue providing this critical relief to families like Joaquin’s.

Learn more and apply at: ourmilitarykids.org

About Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity awards to children ages 1-18 of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat-injured Veterans in treatment. Our Military Kids activity awards build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Learn more: ourmilitarykids.org

Media Contact

Michelle Criqui, Our Military Kidsmccriqui@ourmilitarykids.org

OAKTON, Va., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Our Military Kids® (OMK), a national nonprofit providing extracurricular activity awards to military children and teens, is honoring 14 winners of the 5th Annual Our Military Kids Courageous Kids Contest in celebration of the Month of the Military Child.

Each winner has served as a leader and role model in their communities, schools, homes, and activities while a parent deployed with the National Guard or Reserve, or received treatment for combat-related injuries in 2024.

Our Military Kids is also recognizing three children who have assisted in caregiving duties for a parent with combat-related injuries as this year’s Hidden Helper Hero Award recipients.

The 5th Annual Courageous Kids Contest was made possible by Presenting Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union and HII.

“It is an honor for Navy Federal to be a presenting sponsor for Our Military Kids’ Courageous Kids Contest,” said Jerome Tennille, Manager of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs and Partnerships at Navy Federal. “Our mission is to support our members, military families and their communities. This philanthropic partnership with Our Military Kids aligns with our shared commitment to enhancing the wellness and community of military children.”

MEET OUR CONTEST WINNERS

Each winner will receive a $300 cash stipend, award certificate, and have their story shared on OMK’s digital platforms throughout April at: www.ourmilitarykids.org/contest-winners/

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About Our Military Kids® Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity awards to children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans in treatment for post-9/11, combat-related injuries. Learn more: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org

About Navy Federal Credit Union

Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving more than 14 million members globally and is the world’s largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, Veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 25,000 and has a global network of more than 365 branches. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Made possible by presenting sponsor USAA, Our Military Kids Ovation was held on Sept. 12, 2024, at Planet Word in Washington, D.C. The event gave a special ovation to the military families, program partners, investors, and inaugural OMK Hall of Fame inductees who have made this mission possible.

“For 20 years, Our Military Kids has honored the resilience of our youngest heroes and invested in a brighter future for them,” said Justin Schmitt, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at USAA. “USAA is proud to support this incredible mission that provides joy and light in military children and teens.”

Announcing Our Military Kids 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees:

Special Honorees

The Honorable Trent Kelly, United States House of Representatives (MS-1) The Honorable Elizabeth Dole LTG Roger Shultz, USA (Ret), 17th Director, Army National Guard

Trailblazers

Fisher House Foundation Hidden Helpers Coalition Joining Forces Military Times Foundation National Guard Bureau National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus

Torchbearers

Gabby Douglas, Olympian Jimmy Garoppolo, NFL Quarterback Taylor Montgomery, PGA Golfer Jordan Spieth, PGA Golfer

Founding Sponsors

Bob Woodruff Foundation The Boeing Company General Dynamics Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Corporation Rolls-Royce

Founders

Linda Davidson Gail Fertel

“Thanks to our supporters, Our Military Kids has officially awarded more than 92,000 extracurricular activity scholarships totaling $34 million to children from all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories since our founding 20 years ago. We love to say we have a military family in every zip code,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director and U.S. Navy Veteran. “While we are celebrating, we are also rolling up our sleeves. We want military families to know we stand steadfast in our support as they continue to make sacrifices to protect our freedom.”

Our Military Kids has never turned away an eligible military child thanks to support from investors, partners, and volunteers over the past 20 years. Learn more at: www.ourmilitarykids.org

About Our Military Kids®

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.

Our Military Kids®, a national nonprofit providing extracurricular activity grants to military children and teens, is excited to announce the completion of a new brand strategy and visual identity refresh to celebrate the next chapter in the organization’s 20-year history of enhancing military family wellbeing.

The refresh includes an updated logo, branding, and a new tagline to encapsulate the organization’s impact: Enhancing family wellbeing, one activity at a time.

William (13) is the child of a wounded U.S. Marine Corps Veteran in treatment for combat-related injuries. Throughout his father’s treatment, the golf course has provided a safe space for William and his father to connect over a shared passion. When finances became tight during his father’s treatment, Our Military Kids funded golf lessons to ensure William could continue in an activity he loves that connects him with his family and community.

“When I’m on the golf course I’m bonding with my dad, and he’s happy and I’m happy,” said William.

For two decades, Our Military Kids has funded extracurricular activities for military kids and teens, improving their mental wellness and increasing their success in school. Not only do Our Military Kids grants help military children and teens thrive during a stressful time but the entire family is given the chance to create positive social connections, improve mental wellness, and form a sense of community.

“Our new brand identity is contemporary and reflects our mature brand,” said Kara Dallman, executive director and U.S. Navy Veteran. “Our goal is to increase awareness of our Deployed and Combat Injured Programs so we can serve and bring joy to more military families like William’s.”

Since 2004, Our Military Kids has provided more than 88,000 activity scholarships worth $32 million to children from all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories.

Learn more at: www.ourmilitarykids.org

About Our Military Kids®

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.