New York, NY (PRWEB) December 10, 2014
The 9/12 Generation Project and Military Child Education Coalition have announced “Operation We Send Hope”, a video contest that will send messages of “hope” and “thanks” to military boys and girls who may be without a parents this holiday season. FOUR $250 grants will be awarded to the best videos which will be delivered to children all over the world. Students in grades 6 – 12 are eligible to participate.
“This project is a thoughtful effort acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military-connected children. Service men and women are deployed around the globe, and messages of support like this are an important reminder that our communities care,” says Dr. Mary M. Keller, Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) President and CEO.
According to the Department of Defense, the military of the United States is deployed in more than 150 countries around the world. In recent weeks, hundreds of U.S troops have also been deployed to West Africa to help stop the spread of Ebola while others have been sent to troubled areas in Iraq and Syria.
Adds Mia Toschi National Program Director of the 9/12 Generation Project, "This adds another layer of comfort to the military men and women because it lets them know that someone is watching over their children.”
To be considered for the grant, students in grades 6 - 12 are being asked to videotape themselves with their personal message. Entire classrooms can also send a collective message but a parent or teacher must be present and authorize the taping. Official rules can be found at http://www.912generationproject.org. The entries will be judged on content and quality of the video as well as ability to follow instructions.
Emmett McDowell is a New Jersey police officer who spent two years overseas in Iraq and says he loves the idea of a contest that recognizes military children. "People forget how much these children sacrifice. It would have given me a great deal of comfort to know someone was thinking of my daughter when I was overseas.”
Four winning viceos will be announced December 19, 2014. Each student will receive a $250 grant to continue service-learning projects. Hundreds of messages of hope will be posted on the 9/12 Generation Project website and YouTube channel until January 1, 2015.
For more information, contact Lori Sullivan lori@newyorksaysthankyou.org 479-234-0873
Mia Toschi mia@newyorksaysthankyou.org 203-524-2422