McLean, Virginia – A month-long coupon drive at 180 KFC stores will benefit children of deployed National Guard and Reserve families, as well as children of severely injured service members and veterans of all branches. The fundraiser by KBP Foods, the largest KFC franchise in the U.S., is part of a longstanding partnership that has provided funding for thousands of military kids to join an extracurricular activity.
This year’s coupon drive began Feb. 26 and will run through March 31 at KBP-owned KFC stores in Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Virginia and North Carolina. The coupon book sells for $1 each (more than $40 in savings) and all proceeds in these markets will benefit Our Military Kids.
“We are so honored to be selected as a partner with KBP foods,” said Angela Burton, Executive Director at Our Military Kids. “Their incredible support means that kids across the country will have access to rewarding and engaging activities while their parents are deployed.”
“Our Military Kids is an incredible organization that makes a meaningful difference in the communities it serves,” said Matt Hansen, Chief Operating Officer at KBP Foods. “It is our privilege to support Our Military Kids in their mission to help children of deployed and severely injured Service Members and Veterans.”
Launched in 2004, Our Military Kids was started as a way to thank families of Guard and Reserve personnel who endured lengthy and repeated deployments. In 2008, the group expanded to include children of severely injured service members. Our Military Kids has provided almost 60,000 grants to children across the United States. In a recent survey of families who received the grants, 94% said they saw a decrease in the child’s stress and anxiety and 98% saw improvement in the entire family’s well-being. Our Military Kids provides eligible children up to $500 per grant for each deployment lasting at least 180 days. For more information, visit the website at www.ourmilitarykids.org.
About KBP Foods
KBP Foods, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., has been named one of the 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains and one of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Businesses in North America. Currently, KBP Foods operates more than 560 KFC and Taco Bell restaurants across 21 states.
About Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of wounded warriors from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at 703-734-6654.
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Charity Navigator Awards OMK with Highest 4-Star Rating
McLean, Virginia – The country’s largest charity evaluator has once again given its coveted 4-star rating to Our Military Kids. It’s the third year in a row (and the sixth time overall) that Charity Navigator has awarded its top rating to Our Military Kids.
In a letter announcing the rating, Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator, wrote, “This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.”
Thatcher added, “Only 21% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Our Military Kids outperforms most other charities in America.”
Charity Navigator plays a critical role in helping donors understand the financial integrity of a nonprofit. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the financial health, accountability and transparency of more than 8,000 charities.
“This rating tells our supporters that we’re using their donations in the most expedient way possible,” said Linda Davidson, founder of Our Military Kids. “The military families we serve have made incredible sacrifices and we’re committed to ensuring that every dollar counts when we honor them.”
Last year, Our Military Kids received slightly more than $2 million in donations, and 92% of those donations were spent directly on children’s programs. In the most recent survey of families who received grants for activities, almost all respondents said the grants improved the entire family’s well-being, as well as decreased their child’s stress and anxiety.
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of severely injured service members and veterans from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at 703-734-6654.
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McLean, Virginia – A Raytheon grant awarded to Our Military Kids will pay for science, technology, engineering and math programs for children whose parents were severely injured during military service, deployed overseas or are in the National Guard or Military Reserves. This effort will boost the mission of Our Military Kids to fund after-school enrichment activities for youth and inspire them to pursue STEM careers.
“This is a wonderful effort that will enrich the lives of our military families and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM,” said Linda Davidson, founder of Our Military Kids. The grant will provide up to $500 per child to take classes in subjects like lego robotics, computer science, engineering and math.
Nearly two million American children have a parent serving in the military, and these youngsters face special challenges growing up. The grant will benefit children in Colorado Springs, CO, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Hampton, VA, Huntsville, AL and the Greater Washington, DC area.
“Raytheon is committed to supporting military families by delivering opportunities that ease some of the challenges that come with military commitment,” said Pam Erickson, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Raytheon. “Teaming with the Our Military Kids organization will directly impact the day-to-day experiences of military kids across the country by opening up new possibilities for learning and play – the building blocks of confidence, self esteem and teamwork.”
Launched in 2004, Our Military Kids was started by Davidson as a way to say thank you to families of Guard and Reserve personnel who endured lengthy and repeated deployments. In 2008, the group expanded to include children of severely injured service members. Since its inception, Our Military Kids has provided almost 60,000 grants.
Our Military Kids has helped kids across the country engage in a wide range of STEM activities – from sea camp at the Texas State Aquarium to flight school with the Colorado Civil Air patrol. Last year, Our Military Kids provided Michigan high schooler Paul Kovacic a grant to travel with his robotics team to St. Louis, MO, where they won the semi-world championship of the international high school robotics competition. The grant enabled Kovacic – whose father was deployed to the Middle East – to pursue an activity that kept him engaged after school. Kovacic now is studying mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech University on an academic scholarship.
“These kids deserve extra support,” Davidson said. “We can help them ease the stress and anxiety of having a parent deployed to a war zone through positive, structured activities.” Our Military Kids provides eligible children up to $500 per grant for each deployment lasting at least 180 days. For more information, visit the website at www.ourmilitarykids.org.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Follow us on Twitter.
About Out Military Kids
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of wounded warriors from all active and reserve military branches.
The holiday season is a difficult time for a military child. A phone call or facetime is just not the same as celebrating traditions together as a family. While we can’t bring these moms and dads home for the holidays, we can let them know their community appreciates their sacrifices.
A donation to Our Military Kids gives back to the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen protecting our nation by funding activities for their children. Your support has a tremendous impact on deployed service members, wounded warriors and their families.
“I want to thank you for the grant to Audrey for piano lessons. Her father’s deployment has been very difficult for her. Many people don’t understand the emotional roller coaster the kids go through when their parent is gone for so long. I told Audrey that Our Military Kids understand how hard it has been for her and wanted to help pay for her piano lessons.”
Thanks to your support and donations from people like you, we have served more than 60,000 children like Audrey.
Your continued support of Our Military Kids will help military children enjoy their childhood. Your donation provides our deployed military troops the peace of mind their most precious assets – their children – are being taken care of.
These men and women volunteer to keep us safe and free. It is our community’s duty to support them. Give today to show them their fellow Americans are grateful and their children are being well cared for.
Please say thank you to our service members this holiday season by donating online at www.ourmilitarykids.org/support or sending a check.
Warmest holiday wishes to you and yours from us at Our Military Kids. You have our heartfelt gratitude for providing cherished memories to thousands of deserving military children. Your gift is very much appreciated.