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Military Families

The ranks of our military woman and men often include the families who are left behind while their loved ones serve. As a child, living on a military base is difficult. Having a deployed mom or dad go to Afghanistan or Iraq can be tragic. In addition, the burden of poverty increases disproportionately when a family member is deployed overseas. Not only does losing a breadwinner impact the material well-being of these children, but according to a study done by the U.S. Military Academy, lengthy deployments have serious adverse effects on the performance of children in most academic subjects. Evidence suggests that these adverse effects may persist for several years.

In 2006, K.I.D.S. joined with Operation Homefront to meet the needs of the families fighting for our freedom. Together we provide children of military families with the most basic essentials in life – clothing, shoes and baby products – as well as support their emotional and developmental needs by donating books, educational materials and toys. We also provide baby products for monthly showers, furnish nurseries for new mothers, and provide mothers with new apparel and toys to give away to their children during the holiday seasons.

In 2010, K.I.D.S. provided approximately $3.6 million worth of clothing, shoes, baby products, books, educational materials and toys to children and families on military bases through our partnership with Operation Homefront. These donations reached over 10,000 military families.