Turning the Spotlight on America’s Forgotten Children During National Military Appreciation Month

 

Watch Founder Daryl Mackin of A Soldier’s Child Foundation
tell his story here:

 

In 1999, the U.S. Congress did something that was long overdue. They declared May as National Military Appreciation Month.

Yes, we should appreciate our active duty and veteran military members every month of the year…

But it’s nice to have one month dedicated to this idea. It’s important to remember those who selflessly served their country. And honor them as well.

And in honor of this, 4Patriots decided to turn the spotlight on one of the incredible veteran-focused charities you help us support all year long, A Soldier’s Child Foundation.

How ‘A Soldier’s Child Foundation’ Was Born

Daryl Mackin is the founder and executive director of A Soldier’s Child. He got the idea for this organization while preparing for his own 6-year-old son’s birthday party:

While typing out the invitations, he looked up at a photo of his neighbor’s son, Christian. Christian’s father, Marc Golczynski, was a fallen solider from the Iraq war.

Mackin had been looking at the work he was doing for his son’s invitations as a “chore.”

“I looked up at my wall and was immediately convicted in my spirit for my negative attitude,” he said. “My heart turned to Christian, who will never be able to have a party planned by his dad.”

“There are many children like Christian that will never receive another birthday from their father/mother. Because they gave their life while defending our freedoms.”

America’s Forgotten Children

Daryl shared the story of A Soldier’s Child Foundation with us:

“We’re caring about a population of children that nobody in our country is really thinking about.

“Part of our mission is to educate our country that these children, these families exist.

“And really, they should be #1 on our list of giving.

“99% of Americans never defended the freedoms that they get to live out in this country. 1% of our population volunteers to do that, and when they don’t come home, their children suffer for it.

“You want to talk about children at risk. Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, anger issues, abandonment issues… these children are in our country.”

Helping Our Military’s Children

Daryl strives to give these kids hope through the acts of A Soldier’s Child Foundation.

He says, “I’m telling you, you can give them that hope by showing them that they matter.”

A Soldier’s Child Foundation now serves 3300 children nationwide. That means doing over 200 birthdays a month.

And they’re going to be holding about 15 camps this year.

The last thing they do, is facilitate getting the funds covered for the kids to go to college.

Daryl wants everyone to know that “86% of every dollar spent goes to the kids, programs and services. Nobody’s getting rich doing A Soldier’s Child Foundation. It’s all going to the kids.”

“That’s what this is all about. And it’s going to always remain that way.”

You Help Us Help Them

4Patriots holds this Foundation extremely close to our hearts.

We believe strongly that the strength of our military stands upon a tradition of service that extends far beyond those in uniform. It stands on the spouses, the children, the friends and all the others that surround our men and women in our military. This charity aims to serve them.

Daryl put together a video to show you just how much your support means to them and to the children. And to let you know firsthand what you are helping to accomplish. Check out the video posted at the top of this blog.

We at 4Patriots feel extremely grateful to be in a position to help incredible organizations like A Soldier’s Child Foundation. And none of this would be possible without you.

So thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for America’s military families.