OAKTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Our Military Kids®, a national nonprofit providing extracurricular activity grants to military children and teens, celebrated 20 years of enhancing military family wellbeing at Our Military Kids Ovation, an event honoring two decades of supporting the children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, and post-9/11, combat-injured or ill Veterans.
Made possible by presenting sponsor USAA, Our Military Kids Ovation was held on Sept. 12, 2024, at Planet Word in Washington, D.C. The event gave a special ovation to the military families, program partners, investors, and inaugural OMK Hall of Fame inductees who have made this mission possible.
“For 20 years, Our Military Kids has honored the resilience of our youngest heroes and invested in a brighter future for them,” said Justin Schmitt, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at USAA. “USAA is proud to support this incredible mission that provides joy and light in military children and teens.”
Announcing Our Military Kids 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Special Honorees
The Honorable Trent Kelly, United States House of Representatives (MS-1) The Honorable Elizabeth Dole LTG Roger Shultz, USA (Ret), 17th Director, Army National Guard
Trailblazers
Fisher House Foundation Hidden Helpers Coalition Joining Forces Military Times Foundation National Guard Bureau National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus
Torchbearers
Gabby Douglas, Olympian Jimmy Garoppolo, NFL Quarterback Taylor Montgomery, PGA Golfer Jordan Spieth, PGA Golfer
Founding Sponsors
Bob Woodruff Foundation The Boeing Company General Dynamics Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Corporation Rolls-Royce
Founders
Linda Davidson Gail Fertel
“Thanks to our supporters, Our Military Kids has officially awarded more than 92,000 extracurricular activity scholarships totaling $34 million to children from all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories since our founding 20 years ago. We love to say we have a military family in every zip code,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director and U.S. Navy Veteran. “While we are celebrating, we are also rolling up our sleeves. We want military families to know we stand steadfast in our support as they continue to make sacrifices to protect our freedom.”
Our Military Kids has never turned away an eligible military child thanks to support from investors, partners, and volunteers over the past 20 years. Learn more at: www.ourmilitarykids.org
Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.
