#LoveMilKids Initiative
Military kids are the real MVPs. They didn’t agree to this life; they were born into it. Many of these kids move every two to three years, continually starting their lives over. They also say goodbye often, with nearly 900,000 experiencing the deployment of a parent for almost a year at a time.
One third of military kids have been found to suffer from trauma and show symptoms of depression and anxiety.*
It is with this in mind that we knew our first initiative within Inspire Up would be aimed at supporting them. We want them to know we see them.
We decided to make hearts for them out of old military uniforms sent in from all over the world. Within these uniformed hearts, are small felt hearts, hand cut by civilian children who want military kids to know how much they are loved.
With April being Month of the Military Child, we wanted to celebrate them. Military spouses hand cut and sewed each individual heart and we are giving away the first 500 -- completely free! Thanks to the generous sponsorship of First Command Financial and Scott Credit Union; the shipping of the first 500 hearts was also covered.
Military kids are the real MVPs. They didn’t agree to this life; they were born into it. Many of these kids move every two to three years, continually starting their lives over. They also say goodbye often, with nearly 900,000 experiencing the deployment of a parent for almost a year at a time.
One third of military kids have been found to suffer from trauma and show symptoms of depression and anxiety.*
It is with this in mind that we knew our first initiative within Inspire Up would be aimed at supporting them. We want them to know we see them.
We decided to make hearts for them out of old military uniforms sent in from all over the world. Within these uniformed hearts, are small felt hearts, hand cut by civilian children who want military kids to know how much they are loved.
With April being Month of the Military Child, we wanted to celebrate them. Military spouses hand cut and sewed each individual heart and we are giving away the first 500 -- completely free! Thanks to the generous sponsorship of First Command Financial and Scott Credit Union; the shipping of the first 500 hearts was also covered.
ALicia SteeleProject Coordinator
Alicia Steele is a native of Southern California and a military spouse of 16 years.
Alicia earned her BA in History and French from Colorado State University in 2006. She is a sewing blogger and creative guru. She frequently creates quilts and sewing projects for charity. Including sending quilts to silent auctions for Peach’s Neet Feet, an artistic, kindness spreading company that brings joy to chronically ill and disabled children. Alicia spends her time caring for her two sons, who are both medically fragile. She is a passionate disability advocate. She cares deeply for children of all abilities. She has consistently spent her time giving back to and advocating for military spouses as a key spouse and key spouse mentor. |
*Cederbaum, Julie A., et al. "Well-Being and Suicidal Ideation of Secondary School Students From Military Families." Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 54, Issue 6, Pages 672–677, June 2014
© 2020 Inspire Up, Inc.