The hard-and-fast, no-exceptions deadline to apply for the Scholarships for Military Children Program is fast approaching. All applications must be received at eligible military commissaries by February 24. At least one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at each commissary location where qualified applications are received. More than one scholarship may be handed out depending on response and funding. Recipients can use the awards for tuition, books, lab fees and other education-related expenses. 

Children of active duty, Reserve, Guard or retired military commissary customers can apply for the scholarships. Recipients must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a four-year undergraduate college or university accredited in the U. S. and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 basis. For complete rules and requirements, visit the program’s website.

The scholarships are funded primarily through companies who sell goods at commissaries.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Promoting the idea that “Kids Deploy Too!” when they see parents go to battle overseas, Military Kids Connect offers children of the armed forces an online forum to network with others in the same situation. Users can participate on message boards, take part in activities and games or watch videos of children who have experienced a parent’s deployment. Monitored social networking features allow military dependents to share their struggles and experiences in a secure environment. Resources are divided by age groups: 6 to 8 years; 9 to 12 years; and 13 to 17 years. Developers of the site hope it eases the pain children go through during a deployment.

The website also includes sections for teachers and parents and for caregivers, offering information and guides. Parents can learn more about summaries of typical behaviors throughout the deployment cycle depending on age and receive some parenting tips. Military Kids Connect is an initiative of the U.S. Defense Department’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

American Hometown Heroes is an initiative launched late last year by a coalition of independent Yellow Pages publishers. It aims to give veterans a leg up on becoming entrepreneurs and to reduce the high numbers of unemployment and underemployment among those who have served in the U.S. military. The involved partners offer business and professional advice to veterans starting companies in the communities the publishers serve. Approved grant applicants will receive free online and Yellow Pages advertising along with help throughout the first year of starting a new business.

Veterans interested in applying can find details on the program’s How The Program Works page. Qualification requirements and a link to application forms are available through the Sign Up page.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Military families are enjoying a little extra financial support thanks to Troopons, a joint venture between Support Our Troops and CouponCabin. The program asks people to send in manufacturers’ coupons (and only manufacturers’ coupons) from any source except the Internet, and the deals will be sent to those who need them. Troopons even accepts expired coupons, which can be used on military bases for up to six months past their expiration dates.

The effort supports military families at domestic and foreign installations. Troops stationed at the latter especially can benefit because they often don’t have access to the coupons and weak exchange rates mean dollars don’t go as far. The most helpful coupons offer discounts on food items with baby supplies ranking as the second priority. Common household goods coupons help, too.

To participate, mail your coupons to the addresses below:

Active Coupons:
CouponCabin.com
attn: Active Troopons
P.O. Box 231
Whiting, IN 46394-0231

or

Expired Coupons:
(Less than 3 months remaining or expiration dates within the last 90 days)
CouponCabin.com
Attn: Expired Troopons
P.O. Box 430
Whiting, IN 46394-0430

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Operation Homefront is accepting nominations for the Military Child of the Year Award through January 15. Ideal candidates demonstrate resilience, strength of character and the ability to thrive in the face of the challenges of military life. They also should demonstrate leadership within their families and communities.

A child from each U.S. service branch—Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Navy—will receive the honor, which includes a $5,000 prize and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a special recognition ceremony on April 5. More information, including terms and conditions, and the nomination form are available online.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

During a horrific battle in Afghanistan, Sgt. Dakota Meyer, USMC, saved the lives of 13 U.S. Marines and soldiers and 23 Afghans, enduring injuries to himself in the process; he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor. Sgt. Meyer showed more dedication to others in that single firefight than most will do in their entire lives, but instead of resting on his laurels, he has embarked on a new venture to help his fellow Marines. The hero has partnered with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to create the Sergeant Dakota Meyer Scholarship for the children of wounded Marines and Navy Corpsmen.

The goal of that effort is to raise $1 million by the foundation’s 50th anniversary next May. Sgt. Meyer also has issued his Challenge to America to raise a matching $1 million for a total of $2 million in available funds. Information about how to donate is available on the website.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Most deadlines for shipping cards and packages to warzones in time for the holidays have passed, but you can still send e-cards to deployed loved ones overseas courtesy of Real Warriors. Users can choose the animated or still version of the “Happy Holidays from Afar” card. Both feature a military theme as well as the contact information for Real Warriors, which provides help for troops, veterans and family members readjusting to life after deployment.

The organization also offers several non-holiday e-card options with “Welcome Home” or “Reaching Out is a Sign of Strength” themes.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

This musical compilation offers buyers a chance to celebrate Christmas, help the military community and receive a reminder of all their blessings in one compact disc. The A Lil Heroes Christmas CD includes traditional songs wholly or partially sung by the children of troops killed in battle after 9/11. The discs cost $15 for one or $12/each for two or more, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Operation Ensuring Christmas. This charity provides financial, moral and rehabilitative support to help children recover from the grief and trauma caused by the ultimate sacrifice they can make for their country—the loss of a parent. Programs include providing Christmas gift cards in December and Christmas in July, through which the kids receive trips to theme parks in Orlando.

Information about ordering the CD, or how to purchase the music through iTunes or other digital means, is available on the website. The site also features a music video of the kids singing “Jingle Bells.”

 Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Hickory Farms is offering military families and friends a chance to send gift packages to APO or FPO addresses without paying shipping fees. The company sells a variety of packages of meats, cheeses, fruit and nuts that qualify for the deal. However, to take advantage of the free shipping customers have to act fast. Combat-zone Christmas delivery is guaranteed only on orders placed by December 3. For other military addresses, customers have to order by December 10 to ensure packages reach their destinations by the 25th. (Reminder: military mail service in Iraq has ended.)

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Looking for a chance to spread some Christmas cheer to deployed service members? Operation Holiday Stockings is striving to send gifts to 1,600 troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations in Asia. The public can participate in several ways: donate time and make a stocking (see the Make Stockings page for directions and stocking-stuffer ideas); buy a stocking and mail it to the organization; create and contribute a Christmas card that the organization can send along with the stockings; or donate money toward shipping costs and the purchase of stocking stuffers. Operation Holiday Stockings estimates it costs about $1 in postage for each stocking sent.

For more information visit the website or email Sue at ramsddj@aol.com. All donations can be mailed to:
Operation Holiday Stockings
P.O. Box 3186
Sequim, WA 98382

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.