Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Awards $5,000 Grant to Our Military Kids

LEESBURG, VA (Jan. 26, 2015) – The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (Coalition), a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of severely wounded veterans of the global War on Terror, today announced the awarding of a $5,000 grant to Our Military Kids. The grant will enable more than 10 children of wounded veterans to enjoy the extracurricular activities of their choosing, which otherwise would not have been financially viable for the families.

“We are so grateful for the Coalition’s support, which will go directly toward helping the children of true American heroes,” said Linda Davidson, co-founder and Executive Director of Our Military Kids, Inc. “We’ve learned over the years that one of the best ways to serve our veterans is by helping to give their kids as normal a life as possible. Sports, fine arts, camps and academic tutoring programs help nurture and sustain children during a parent’s lengthy recovery and/or rehabilitation.”

Established in October 2004, Our Military Kids has grown from its roots in Virginia, where it first began helping the families of deployed National Guardsmen and Reservists, to a nationwide charity serving all branches and components of the U.S. Military. As of January 2015, the organization has provided 50,000 grants worth $20 million to children in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

“In my job, I have been introduced to countless groups devoted to serving veterans in one way or another,” said David Walker, President & CEO of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. “I can’t remember any with whom I’ve been more impressed than Our Military Kids. Like the Coalition, they put their money to work literally where people live, making a meaningful difference in the lives of our veterans, and their children. We are more than pleased to support their work, specifically with regard to the severely wounded families they help.”

Our Military Kids gives the parent(s) and child the opportunity to identify an extracurricular activity that is best suited to the unique interests and abilities of the child. After the family selects a service provider in their community that is trusted and convenient to their location and schedule, Our Military Kids mails them a check on behalf of the child. The program’s structure has the added benefit of integrating the family into the community in which it resides.

For more information on the Coalition, and to learn how you can support its mission, visit SaluteHeroes.org.

To learn about the important work being done by Our Military Kids, visit OurMilitaryKids.org.

About the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, based in Leesburg, VA, has provided an immediate, invaluable lifeline to thousands of America’s wounded veterans since its establishment in 2004. The Coalition is distinguished from other veteran-focused organizations by its direct financial assistance to America’s combat-wounded heroes. Its Emergency Financial Aid program has stopped foreclosure proceedings on veterans’ homes and kept their vehicles from being repossessed. The organization regularly provides gift checks to cover meals, medical and utility bills, clothing, car repairs and even baby diapers.

About Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to provide support and recognition to military children. This may include children ages 3 years through the 12th grade of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members, along with children of Wounded and Fallen Warriors from all branches of service. The grants to children pay for fees associated with athletic, fine arts and tutoring programs. Our Military Kids’ grants keep military children engaged in activities of their choosing, helping to relieve the stress of separation from a parent by providing a positive distraction, minimizing emotional destabilization, building self esteem, and enabling academic achievement.