Operation Homefront, a nonprofit dedicated to building strong, stable and secure military families, is accepting nominations for the 2020 Military Child of the Year Awards and applications for the 2020 Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation, the Warrensburg, Mo., Daily Star-Journal reported.
Nominations are open through Dec. 9 and all awards will be presented at a gala in Washington, D.C., April 2. Six selectees ages 13 to 18 who are legal dependents of a service member or military retiree will represent the six armed forces, demonstrating resiliency, leadership and achievement during their parents’ military service, the report said.
The separate innovation award is given to a military child who has designed a bold and creative solution to address a local, regional or global challenge, according to the report.
The innovation award is presented by ADC sponsor Booz Allen Hamilton.
“Our Military Child of the Year nominees are exceptional young people who have made and are continuing to make a real difference in their schools and communities,” said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) John Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “While each has unique interests and goals, they share a passion to volunteer, to give back to society and to make life better for others.”
Recipients will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, receiving $10,000 and a laptop computer. The innovation award recipient will also receive business expertise in developing their solution, the report said.
Anyone can nominate a child and submissions are accepted at militarychildoftheyear.org.
Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael Keller