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January 23, 2007
Operation Marine Corps Kids
Last night, I watched a PBS show, sponsored by Sesame Street and hosted by Cuba Gooding Jr. about how the children of deployed troops cope with the absence of a beloved parent. One of the significant points made was that 700,000 children in this country have a parent at war. We'll soon be announcing a new project aimed at supporting the families of those who are deployed, but here's a preview. When babies are born to deployed troops, it's doubly hard for both mom and dad. The dad must wait weeks or months to meet his newest child. The mom has responsibilities of both parents, juggling the exhausting care of a newborn while meeting the needs of other children without the help of her husband. It's a sacrifice, and one that military families make every single day.
A dear friend of mine who has long been involved in charity works has volunteered to head up an effort designed to support the quiet heroines of this war and the littlest heroes - the kids that miss their daddy but know that he is helping protect them against some very bad people. Operation Marine Corps Kids will launch soon. We'll send care packages to the families of deployed troops when babies are born while the dad is deployed. The packages will include a hand crocheted baby afghan, perhaps a tiny cover (bonnet), or combat booties. With sufficient resources, we'll be able to include a handmade toy for other kids in the family. It's a small, but significant, gesture of love and support for those who keep the home fires burning alone.
Here's how you can help. Marine Corps Moms has been nominated as one of the milblogs that people like to read in a new contest put on by the VA Mortgage Center. You can vote for your favorite milblog - the top milblog is up for a prize of $3,000, and the top ten receive $250. If Marine Corps Moms finishes in the top ten, the prize money will be donated to our Marine Corps Family Foundation for Operation Marine Corps Kids. That will buy quite a lot of postage. Crocheters all over the United States are working on the initial supply of baby afghans.
Vote here for Marine Corps Moms.
I'll date this entry January 23rd so that it will stay at the top of this blog until voting ends. There are many excellent milblogs but I hope you'll consider supporting Marine Corps Moms so that we can support this very worthy project.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who voted for Marine Corps Moms! We finished 6th and will donate the $250 check to Operation Marine Corps Kids, a Marine Corps Family Foundation project.
Posted by Deb at January 23, 2007 12:00 AM
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Comments
Hey! You gals are way ahead. I've proudly cast my vote for you . . . Thanks for all you do to keep the homefires burning.
Posted by: Sissy Willis at January 20, 2007 12:19 PM
Lovely site! I was a paratrooper in the Army (Grenada 10/83) but I grew up around Marines, and have always had a profound respect for the Corps. Semper Fi!
NurseWilliam
Posted by: NurseWilliam at January 22, 2007 04:46 AM
I've just added you to my blogroll. I hope you are able to raise funds and awareness for this very worthy cause.
Posted by: Candy Slice at January 22, 2007 05:48 AM
Trackbacked at
http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/military-bloggers-generous-and-kind.html
thank you!
Posted by: Flag Gazer at February 3, 2007 02:05 AM
I'm thrilled to post that we are already receiving donations for Marine Corps Kids. I recieved five hats today, and have many more being sent. I also have a few blankets and bandanas for the kids.
As we start to receive the names of new Marine Corps Kids, we'll start distributing the crafts.
Thanks to everyone who is supporting this effort!
Posted by: Delia at February 5, 2007 07:23 PM