In April 2024, seven military families were treated to an exciting day at Mammoth Cave National Park, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership provides National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country.
The day began with learning about the park’s rich natural and cultural resources before embarking on a historical cave tour led by park rangers into the world’s largest cave system. In the afternoon, families hiked through the Kentucky wilderness and visited another cave at the park, Wondering Woods Cave, for an intimate view of different cave formations. As part of this event, participating military families were presented with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, which provides entrance or access for one year to more than 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current military members and their dependents.
This event at Mammoth Cave National Park is the first of four outdoor recreation-focused events in 2024 hosted by this partnership. Other event locations include Indiana Dunes National Park, IN, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA, and Zion National Park, UT.
The program, supported by the NPS and coordinated by National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, doesn’t just offer special outings for military members and their loved ones. It also emphasizes the significance of nurturing ties with nature and forging community connections. These trips allow families to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
In December 2023, seven military families were treated to an exciting day at Cabrillo National Monument, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership provides National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country.
The day began with a ranger program about the monuments’ natural and cultural history, followed by a tour of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and barracks. Families then headed down to the rocky intertidal area, also known as the tidepools. They saw wildlife, like barnacles, sea anemones, and sea stars, and plenty of fish. This event marked the fourth and last outdoor recreation event scheduled for 2023 at national park sites. Other trips were hosted by the Park Trust at Assateague National Seashore, MD, Mount Rainier National Park, WA, and Biscayne National Park, FL.
The initiative, funded by the NPS and facilitated by the National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, not only provided a memorable day for military personnel and their families but also highlighted the importance of fostering connections with nature and building community bonds. Through these events, families were able to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
Back in September, military families were treated to an exciting day of fishing at Biscayne National Park in Florida, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership aimed to provide National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country. The day began with an educational session about the park’s natural and cultural history, followed by fishing lessons from local experts. Families then embarked on a fishing adventure in Biscayne Bay, enjoying hours of catch-and-release fishing, sightseeing, and soaking up the sun and salt air. This event marked the third of four outdoor recreation events scheduled for 2023 at national park sites, with other locations including Assateague National Seashore, MD, Mount Rainier National Park, WA, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA.
The initiative, funded by the NPS and facilitated by the National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, not only provided a memorable day for military personnel and their families but also highlighted the importance of fostering connections with nature and building community bonds. Through these events, families were able to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
This summer, the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids joined forces to host an engaging event for military personnel and their families at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. The day focused on aquatic citizen science at Mowich Lake, the park’s largest and deepest lake. Families began their day by understanding the park’s efforts to monitor the lake’s health, exploring its significance in climate change and biodiversity studies.
In the afternoon, families donned rubber boots and actively participated in the search for various aquatic organisms inhabiting the lake, working alongside park biologists. Additionally, participating military families were honored with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, granting them one-year access to over 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current military members and their dependents.
This event at Mount Rainier National Park marked the second of four planned outdoor recreation events in 2023, spanning national park sites across the country. Other event locations include Assateague National Seashore, MD, Biscayne National Park, FL, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA. The initiative aimed to provide valuable outdoor recreation opportunities, fostering a connection between military families and the natural wonders of our national parks.
Washington, D.C. /May 30, 2023 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – The National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids partnered earlier this month to bring military personnel and their families to Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland for a day of fishing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
The NPS awarded funds to the National Park Trust, which is partnering with Our Military Kids to provide National Guard, Reserve, and post 9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to recreational fishing opportunities in national park sites across the country. With the help of Trout Unlimited volunteers, families are learning how to fish, getting time to put their new skills into action, and then they go home with their own fishing gear so they can come back and fish again.
“We are thrilled to be working with the National Park Trust and NPS to enjoy idyllic National Parks in locations close to Our Military Kids alumni and their families!” said Kara Dallman, retired U.S. Navy Veteran and Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “Military families have served and sacrificed, and these outings are about relaxing, enjoying, and introducing them to the great sport of fishing.
“This event presented the perfect outdoor recreational opportunity for Trout Unlimited’s Service Partnership Program to show our gratitude to those who give selflessly for the Nation,” said Eric Gregory, a volunteer for Trout Unlimited.
As part of this event, participating military families were presented with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, which provides entrance or access for one year to more than 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current members of the military and their dependents. Veterans, and Gold Star families received the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass which does not require an annual renewal.
“Assateague Island National Seashore provides incredible fishing opportunities right for Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia families. We are excited to introduce military families to fishing on Assateague Island. The shoreline is a place where military families can easily come back to and fish whenever they like,” said Liz Davis, Chief, Interpretation & Education for Assateague Island National Seashore. “This is one small way to thank them for their service. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate and connect our military families with opportunities to recreate in and enjoy their local national park site.”
“National Park Trust is honored to partner with the Our Military Kids and the National Park Service to engage National Guard and Reserve families as we work to establish lifelong relationships between local military communities and local national park sites. Teaching each family how to fish and then providing families with fishing equipment they can take with them will allow participants to continue enjoying this recreational activity and create more family memories in the great outdoors,” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust executive director.
This event at Assateague Island National Seashore is the first of four outdoor recreation events in 2023 at national park sites nationwide. Other event locations include Mount Rainier National Park, WA, Biscayne National Park, FL, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA.
ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 52 national park sites. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve hundreds of Title I schools annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.
Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.
ABOUT OUR MILITARY KIDS
Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children (ages 3-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat-injured service members or Veterans by offering extracurricular activity grants that build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Since 2004, Our Military Kids has proudly provided 77,000 activity grants worth $30 million to children and teens across the country. For more information, please visit ourmilitarykids.org.
Media Contact: Michelle Criqui at 703-734-6654 or mediainquiries@ourmilitarykids.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
On Saturday, May 13th, 2023, as the sun broke through the clouds on a mild spring morning over the shoreline of Eastern Maryland, military kids and their families embarked on a special day of fishing and discovery at Assateague Island National Seashore. Dolphins were seen cresting the waves just off the coast, wild horses roamed along the beach, and the families made new unforgettable memories.
The National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids partnered to host the event at Assateague Island National Seashore near Ocean City, MD. The program was designed to teach fishing basics to Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware-based National Guard and Reserve families while connecting with their local national park sites in a deeper and more meaningful way without financial or access barriers.
Upon arriving at the park’s visitor center, Assateague Island Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne presented families with a 2023-2024 Interagency Military Pass, and others with the new America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Military Lifetime Pass. The ceremony was made even more special thanks to Superintendent Hawthrone’s own military service in the Navy, and his family’s history of service through his father. After an in-depth ranger program focusing on Assateague Island’s beautiful wild horse population, families headed to the shoreline to cast their new fishing rods out into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the pristine and protected coastline.
Thanks to the Park Trust’s partnership with NPS, each child and parent went home with a shoreline fishing pole and tackle box so they could keep fishing in the region and create more memories as a family.
This event at Assateague Island National Seashore is one of four events happening in partnership with Our Military Kids in 2023 at national park sites nationwide. Other event locations include Mount Rainier National Park (WA), Biscayne National Park (FL), and Cabrillo National Monument (CA).
For Kara Dallman, supporting military members and their families has been a life-long passion and commitment.
Dallman, a retired Navy veteran herself, has extensive experience working in the military service organization sector. Her various roles have included operations, fundraising, and executive leadership. Since June of 2020, she has served as Executive Director of Our Military Kids.
Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, Reserve, or post-9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build the child’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Since its founding in 2004, Our Military Kids has provided grants to over 81,000 military children and teens totaling $31 million. Grant recipient families are from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple U.S. territories.
Recently, PGA TOUR player Taylor Montgomery had the opportunity to donate $75,000 to Our Military Kids, thanks to winning the RSM Birdies Fore Love competition for the 2022-23 PGA TOUR season.
“My grandfather was a decorated soldier who fought in Vietnam, so the military has a special place in my heart,” said Montgomery.
“Our Military Kids offers the opportunity for military children and teens to maintain a sense of normalcy and have positive childhood experiences to promote their overall well-being during an especially challenging time,” said Dallman. “We are humbled to receive this incredible donation from RSM Birdies Fore Love. Taylor Montgomery’s generous support will empower more than 250 military children and teens nationwide with extracurricular activity grants to pursue their passions in sports, fine and performing arts, camp, or STEM enrichment during their parent’s deployment or combat injury recovery.”
Through the RSM Birdies Fore Love on-course competition, the top three players who accumulate the most birdies (or better) during the PGA TOUR’s fall season tournaments are awarded with $300,000, $150,000, and $50,000 respectively for donations to the players’ choice of children, and/or family-focused charitable organizations.
“At RSM, stewardship and giving back is part of who we are,” said Andy Bosman, chief marketing officer with RSM US LLP. “Stewardship has been one of RSM’s core values since our firm was founded in 1926, and RSM Birdies Fore Love has been such an amazing way to continue that tradition of making a difference in our communities. We are thrilled to be able to support such deserving organizations like Our Military Kids through RSM Birdies Fore Love.”
On Tuesday at the AT&T Byron Nelson, Montgomery met and interacted with local family members who have been impacted through the Our Military Kids program.
Included in this group was Daniela Santos, who received an Our Military Kids extracurricular activity grant for piano lessons during the deployment of her father, Oscar, with the Army National Guard in 2017.
After her father sustained combat injuries, Daniela received additional scholarships for piano, martial arts, and driver’s education. Daniela’s three sisters, Isabella, Victoria, and Julia also received activity grants for various activities.
“The sacrifice our service members take to serve our country is incredible,” said Montgomery. “That sacrifice is also taken on by the children of military families. I am grateful for Our Military Kids and their mission to serve children of families whose parents have deployed or been injured in service to our country.”
In addition to his donation to Our Military Kids, Montgomery also made donations to Tunnels to Towers, Shriners Hospitals for Children, the UNLV Foundation and Diamante First Tee Foundation.
Our Military Kids supports children of deployed service members in the National Guard, Reserve, or those with post-9/11 combat injuries
TYSONS, Va., March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, furthered its support of military families with a $50,000 grant to Our Military Kids, a charitable organization that provides activity grants to military children who have a parent that is either deployed with the National Guard or Reserve, or is a post-9/11 combat-injured service member. These families face unique stressors with limited support networks because they are often located in areas far from military bases and without access to other support resources.
"As the son of a combat wounded Marine, it was very important to me as a child to have an outlet that provided joy and physical activity," said James Schenck, CEO of the PenFed Foundation. "We're so proud to be able to give the gift of extracurricular activities to deserving military children."
Research shows that more than two-thirds of military children of a deployed or severely injured parent experience at least one sign of psychological stress. Participation in extracurricular activities significantly improves children's lives. Military families in Puerto Rico face additional challenges. Since the beginning of 2022, Our Military Kids has given 20 activity grants to 15 military children in Puerto Rico to participate in programs like soccer, music lessons, art classes, volleyball, swimming, dance and even cosmetology.
"It is important we recognize the sacrifices of military children and, as a community, do all we can to support them," said OMK Executive Director and U.S. Navy Veteran Kara Dallman. "The PenFed Foundation's generosity helped us provide several hundred grants to military kids and teens who were empowered to choose an extracurricular activity that brought them joy during a stressful time."
About PenFed Foundation
Founded in 2001, the PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization committed to empowering military service members, veterans and their communities with the skills and resources to realize financial stability and opportunity. Providing programs supporting other veteran service organizations, veteran entrepreneurship, and short-term assistance, the PenFed Foundation is committed to seeing these communities thrive. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has the resources to effectively reach military communities across the nation, build strong partnerships, and engage a dedicated corps of volunteers in its mission. The credit union funds the Foundation's personnel and most operational costs, demonstrating its strong commitment to the programs the Foundation provides. Equal Housing Opportunity. To learn more, visit www.penfedfoundation.org.
About Our Military Kids, Inc.
Our Military Kids, Inc. supports military children (ages 3-18) by funding sports, arts, tutoring, and other enrichment activities while a parent is deployed overseas with the National Guard, deployed with the Reserve, or recovering from severe combat-related injuries sustained in a post-9/11 mission. Participation in these activities has been proven to help children cope with stress and build self-confidence during an otherwise difficult time in their lives. For more information, please visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or contact Michelle Criqui at mccriqui@ourmilitarykids.org.
SOURCE PenFed Foundation
(New York, NY., February 14, 2023) The Broadway Education Alliance, Inc. is proud to announce an alliance with Our Military Kids® (OMK) to make Broadway shows and experiences more accessible to U.S. military families living throughout the Greater New York area. To kick off the relationship Our Military Kids will support scholarships for six aspiring performing artists, ages 7-17, to attend CAMP BROADWAY’s annual summer programs. These scholarships will be awarded in addition to the participating child or teen’s OMK’s extracurricular activity grants, allowing them to further pursue their passion for theater arts.
Our Military Kids began in 2004 to recognize the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post 9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build the child’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. The organization has given more than 80,000 activity scholarships worth $31 million. For more information, visit ourmilitarykids.org.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Camp Broadway to enrich the lives of the military kids we serve through Broadway’s original summer camp,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director of Our Military Kids and U.S. Navy Veteran. “The opportunity to meet and learn from Broadway professionals and attend Broadway musicals will add up to a truly transformative experience.”
“For nearly 30 years, Camp Broadway has served as Broadway’s ambassador to families,” said Susan Lee, Founder of the Broadway Education Alliance. “We are proud, honored, and happy to support the mission of Our Military Kids by giving children of the men and women in our Armed Forces a fun-filled singing, dancing, and theatergoing that will result in friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.”
CAMP BROADWAY®, known as Broadway’s Original Destination for Theater-loving kids, returns to New York City on July 10-14, 2023, with MAINSTAGE (ages 10-17) and SHINING STARS (ages 7-9). Now operated by the Broadway Education Alliance Inc., a New York based 501(c)3 organization, Camp Broadway provides a safe and enriching environment for children and teens from all backgrounds and skill levels to build confidence, hone presentation skills and discover their unique talents-on and off stage.
For information on the alliance, please contact Susan E. Lee, Broadway Education Alliance at slee@bealliance.org or Michelle Criqui, Our Military Kids at mccriqui@ourmilitarykids.org.
For more information about programs and scholarships, visit www.campbroadway.com.
# # #
$250,000 Awarded to Military Non-Profits Improving Quality of Life
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Fisher House Foundation and Military Times have awarded grants totaling $250,000 to five non-profit organizations supporting military service members and their families. The Fisher Service Award for Military Community Service provides funding toward innovative programs created to improve the quality of life of veterans.
The recently rebranded Fisher Service Award began in 1999 as the Newmans Own Awards and have now awarded more than $2.75 million across 200 non-profit programs.
“Congratulations to the 2022 Fisher Service Award grant recipients,” said Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation Ken Fisher. “We are excited to be a part of your work supporting military and veteran communities. Thank you to our partners at Military Times and our distinguished judges, for their dedication to the military and veteran community.”
“Military Times is proud to support military-connected families and organizations which strive to improve lives of those in this community. Our support of the Fisher Service Award is just one of the many ways we underscore the Military Times mission of service to the community we serve” said Kelly Facer, SVP Sightline Media Group / Military Times. “As is the case every year, our honorees exemplify the power of community, cooperation, and innovation in tackling the most important issues for our nation’s heroes and their families.”
After receiving nearly 600 entries for the 2022 program, six judges evaluated each entry based on the organization’s creativity, innovation, and impact on the respective communities. Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation are proud to announce that the five winning organizations are:
PALS for Patriots, Pals SkyHope; Our Military Kids; Everyone for Veterans; Children’s Waiting Room, Armed Services YMCA of the USA; and Rosie’s Kidpreneur Camp Program, The Rosie Network (Organization information below.) The leading 2022 Fisher Service Award-winning organization received a $90,000 grant, with the remaining top organizations receiving $40,000. All recipients will also receive an advertising package from Military Times valued at $34,000. The 2022 recipients were honored in a ceremony hosted by Fisher House Foundation and Military Times in Washington, D.C. on October 26, 2022. Photos from the ceremony can be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherhousefoundation/sets.
PALS for Patriots, a program of PALS Sky Hope received the highest honor and a $90,000 award. PALS SkyHope arranges free nonemergency air transportation for underserved individuals requiring out-of-town or out-of-state medical care, compassionate assistance, or humanitarian aid. Through its PALS for Patriots program, volunteer pilots fly injured and disabled U.S. military veterans and their caregivers to military medical centers, adaptive retreats, and morale-boosting events throughout the eastern U.S. PALS for Patriots serves those who have given all to serve our country. Since the program began in 2011, PALS SkyHope has flown more than 1,200 veterans and their families to receive life-changing services and life-saving care. PALS SkyHope is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York.
“It is such an honor to be the recipient of the Fisher Service Award. The grant will allow PALS for Patriots to provide more free flights to veterans and their families to medical treatment, rehabilitative programs, and morale-boosting events,” said Pals SkyHope Executive Director Donna Collins. “It is our mission to remove distance as a barrier to connecting our brave veterans to much-needed care for the mind, body and spirit. We are grateful for the generosity and partnership of Fisher House and Military Times.”
About Military Times
The Military Times digital platforms and print products are the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. The military community relies on the Army Times, Marine Corps Times, Navy Times, and Air Force Times for reporting on everything important to their lives, including: pay, benefits, finance, education, health care, recreational resources, retirement, promotions, product reviews, and entertainment. Military Times is published by Sightline Media Group. To learn more, visit www.militarytimes.com.
About Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 93 comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $547 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org.
Winning Entries
Pals SkyHope
PALS for Patriots, Farmingdale, New York
PALS SkyHope’s PALS for Patriots provides free flights to injured and disabled U.S military veterans and their caregivers to military medical centers, adaptive retreats, and morale-boosting events throughout the eastern U.S. through a community of volunteer pilots. https://palservices.org/
Armed Services YMCA of the USA
Children’s Waiting Room, Woodbridge, Virginia
Armed Services YMCA of the USA’s Children’s Waiting Room provides childcare services inside military hospitals and clinics, enabling military parents to keep scheduled appointments without the stress of finding childcare outside of the hospital.
http://www.asymca.org/
Everyone for Veterans
Issaquah, Washington
Everyone for Veterans provides no-cost comprehensive dental care to honor and transform the lives of combat veterans by eliminating pain and infection, restoring adequate function, and improving aesthetics. https://www.everyoneforveterans.org/
Our Military Kids
Oakton, Virginia
Our Military Kids® recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, and post 9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/
The Rosie Network
Kidpreneur Program, Ramona, California
The Rosie Network’s Kidpreneur Program delivers full-service training and support to military teens who are interested in entrepreneurship through an initial 3-week camp program and year-round support, training, and services. www.therosienetwork.org
Judges for the 2022 competition were:
Mrs. Kelly Hokanson, Spouse of Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Mrs. Mollie Raymond, Spouse of Gen. John W. Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, U. S. Space Force
Mrs. Tammy Fisher, Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mrs. Lynne Pace, Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mrs. Suzie Schwartz, Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Ms. Kelly Facer, Sr. Vice President, Military Times, a Sightline Media Group Company
SOURCE Fisher House Foundation