2017 -The Year for our Kids Of America's Heroes!

It’s 2017! And you probably have already made a resolution or two. Why not add a few more to your plate, and help a military connected child to boot!

1. Donate your money, time or expertise to Kids of America’s Heroes!

Trust me, this is a worthy cause (and NOT just because this is a post on their site). Not only is this great charitable group helping military families, it is helping whole communities to form deeper bonds.

If there is anything that 2016 has taught us, it is that we should be taking the time to know our neighbors. We are less different than you might think, and supporting KOAH will help to spread that message!

2. Reach out to military families in your community.

You might not live close to a military base, but there ARE military families in your hometown! Veterans, as well as National Guard and Reserve troops, live in every single city and town across this great country. And they would love to connect with you!

Drive down to your local VFW or contact your area recruiting office to find out how you can help the service men and women located right where you live

.

3. Connect with a MilKid

Since military families are everywhere, that means MilKids are there, too! Reach out to the local school district to find out how you can support military-connected kids.

It might be as simple as helping teachers with extra paperwork so that they can focus on better serving their students. There are also tons of opportunities for you to mentor or tutor children, military and civilian, in every district in the country.

4. Find out what’s needed

Many military families live on a shoestring budget. That means that they don’t have the ability to afford the extras their children or families really need. Connect with the VFW, a local base, a Guard or Reserve unit, or a community church. Even though the holiday season of giving is over, it doesn’t mean it has to stop!

Donate time, money or goods to needy military families in your community (or anywhere)!

5. Write a letter

There are still hundreds of combat injured troops recuperating in hospitals around the country. Overcoming these devastating, and often invisible, wounds can be very challenging.

Contact your local Veteran’s Affairs hospital or Walter Reed Hospital to find out how to send letter, postcards or care packages to wounded service members. Your kind words might be the one thing that gets them, and their families, through a tough day.

6. Advocate!

While we know that Washington can talk a good talk, their actions don’t always match their words. Hold our politicians accountable, or suggest ways that they can help military families in the future. Contact your Representatives and Senators at the national and state levels.

If you have something you want addressed ASAP, call instead of writing.

7. Keep tabs on KOAH in 2017

This is a BIG year for military children and their families. The new Every Student Succeeds Act takes effect, which mandates academic tracking of military children. Teachers, schools and students will all need support as they adjust to the new requirements.

The world is still unsettled, and will likely stay that way for a while. Which means that more moms and dads could be deploying, leaving families on the homefront. We will all need to pitch in to help!

No matter what time of year, KOAH is here to help and support military families, and their civilian allies. Contact us, and we will let you know how YOU can help, right now!

Meg Flanagan M.Ed and K.O.A.H. Military Education Specialist I'm a teacher, blogger, writer, runner, mother, and military spouse. I am passionate about helping ALL children learn, offering tips to guide parents through the K-12 education world, and providing useful advice to teachers of all ages and stages.

#BoyScoutsandGirlScouts #Christmasforthechildren #Clothes #CommonCoreStateStandards #Deployments