Veterans Day- Thankful for Veterans and their Families- Nourish Military Kids

Chef Solus and the team at Nourish Interactive send many thanks to veterans and military families.

"There are more than 1.4 million active duty members in the US military. They’re supported by more than 3.6 million family members. In addition, more than 70 percent of married service members have children under 12."

Here's some campaigns to help keep military kids and families healthy and non-profits with special offers for fun physical activity and nutrition education to support wellness for the whole family.

Plus, some ways we can all support veterans and military families from volunteering, to buying a fundraiser cookbook, to sending holiday cards, or supporting healthy initiatives with fun outdoor opportunities for children of soldiers and veterans.

✰ Send a note of Thanks! Cheerios and the USO have teamed up to make it easy for you to send a note of thanks. Until the end of November 2011, specially-marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature Cheer postcards on the front of the box. Cheerios will donate $1  to the USO for each card sent. Click here: how to send a note of cheer

✰ Joining Forces is a campaign started by First Lady Michelle Obama and Blue Star Mom- Jill Biden to support military families.

“Each American has the ability to make a difference in the lives of military families,”- “Every one of us can commit to one small act of kindness.” Visit the Joining Forces website to pledge to support families, find ways to serve, and send a message of thanks.

✰ Fun physical activity resources and offers: Six months ago, in conjunction with the Joining Forces initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports Nutrition invited IHRSA to engage the fitness industry to support military families throughout the country.

Today, through the IHRSA Joining Forces Network, fitness facilities from coast to coast have responded to the call and are providing free memberships to the immediate family members of actively deployed Reservists and National Guard members. Eligible family members are invited to locate or recommend participating clubs in their area at  http://www.healthclubs.com.

✰ The YMCA supports families of deployed soldiers-  Deployment can be a stressful and uncertain time for our nation’s servicemen and women and their families. In partnership with the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense, the Y is proud to offer memberships and respite child care services to eligible military families and personnel to give them extra support during this difficult period.

It’s our way of giving back to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country. Visit YMCA to learn more

✰ The Sierra Club and YMCA  "provides outdoor activities for military families an opportunity to learn more about nature and most importantly, take time away from the stress of deployment," said Armed Services YMCA National Executive Director Frank Gallo, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret). "The ASYMCA is proud to have the Sierra Club as a partner in our mission to support America's military families."

They also have a Veteran's Expedition Program with Outward Bound and a summer camp for children whose parents have been, are or will be deployed.

Video of First Lady Michelle Obama talking about Joining Forces

✰ A great way to get the whole family to take steps towards healthy choices is The Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN). Most well-known for the physical fitness test in K-12 schools, offers programs for all ages to keep track of their fitness activities and earn awards endorsed by the President of the United States!  Facebook page.

✰ Our website Nourish Interactive is a fun family friendly learning platform- with healthy interactive tools,  nutrition tips for families, printable learning pages and worksheets,  and  FREE online nutrition games for kids. (*Website is available in English or Spanish- just click on language choice at the top of any page)

Here's healthy tips for kids from our kids' section

Resources and ways to support military families, kids and veterans

Let veterans in your community know about these free meal offers for Veteran's Day.

Buy a Cookbook to benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. The cookbook is a grassroots project with recipes shared by military families and supporters, it's $10.

Soldiers Angels also has a cookbook- Cooking with Angels: May No Soldier Go Unloved or Unfed. Treasured Recipes from Soldiers' Angels Dedicated to Our Veterans and Troops has almost 280 pages of heavenly recipes from Soldiers’ Angels and supporters of Soldiers’ Angels. Almost all recipes have a dedication to a hero, wounded warrior, fallen warrior, or veteran, and these from-the-heart dedications are what makes Cooking with Angels so special.

For Educators and Parents

Supporting the military child- American Assoc of School Administrators

Links and Books for Children, Families and Teachers Effected by Military Deployments-- PDF by NAEYC

Talk, Listen, Connect-  From Sesame Street for younger children and families

Send Christmas Cards to soldiers and veterans:

• The Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes (All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
• The Art of Encouragement Veterans Christmas Card program write cards for veterans or send boxes of cards for others to send.

Supporting Military Family Kids Programs

Our Military Kids provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities, sports, lessons, and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country.

Operation Family Fund Financial grants can be used to meet personal, short and long term needs for housing, food, medical, dental, transportation,and other living needs. Click Here to Learn More.

Please leave a comment below to share any healthy resources for military families and kids!