Military Support Programs

Deployments

62nd Engineer Battalion Deployment

 

Operation Kid Comfort

Operation: Kid Comfort application

Your Fort Hood Area Armed Services YMCA is proud to announce that our local Operation Kid Comfort program is now up and running!

With this ASYMCA program volunteers create photo-transfer comfort quilts and pillow shams for America’s littlest heroes, the children of our deployed service men and women, and provides an opportunity for America to unite in support of our Military and their Families.

Each Operation Kid Comfort quilt includes eight images of the deployed parent, child and family printed on fabric and is offered to children six years and younger. Operation Kid Comfort pillow shams are made for children seven years and older, and include four images of the deployed parent and child. We encourage families to provide images that keep special memories intact, such as a birthday, holiday, family outing or a favorite shared activity between parent and child.

The quilts and shams are FREE to the Families who place requests.

We rely on our many volunteers, grants and contributions to keep our program strong. With ever-increasing deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, demand for OpKid quilts and pillow shams have increased dramatically. Each quilt cost approximately $30 to make. Your contributions will provide the necessary materials for the continuing success of Operation Kid Comfort here in Killeen.

Please keep in mind that we are always looking for volunteers willing to share time and talents to help fill our orders. Weekly workshops are offered at our Main Office on 8th Street, Wednesdays from 10:00 until 2:00 pm. We hope to be able to add workshops as our volunteer base increases.

Please visit www.asymca.net for more information about all the programs offered by your ASYMCA to include Operation Kid Comfort. If you have any questions or know a Family who may want to place an order, please email our Military Programs Coordinator, asymcakilleenopkids@gmail.com or call our main office at 254-634-5445.

Military Support Activities

“Serving Those Who Serve America”

 SUPPORT WE PROVIDE TO THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

 

 Summary of ASYMCA Service to Soldiers and their Family Members

 

  • The Armed Services YMCA sponsors Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Activities for soldiers and families of our adopted units, which are:  the 62nd Engineer Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, the 4th Sustainment Brigade, and Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.  This is usually a picnic or barbeque, organizational day, or a day where they get to relax and have fun at our Water Spray Park.  The Y provides space for the activity, food, and our staff works the functions.  This usually serves between 150 – upwards of 600 people.  Total adopted soldiers and family members = 4,000+.
  • We sponsor Easter and Christmas Parties for our adopted units.   The Y provides the gifts, toys, food, space, and staff to work the functions. Over 2,500 children and family members are served.
  • During the Christmas and Thanksgiving Holidays, the Y provides toy and food baskets to military families who are struggling.  This program serves over 500 individuals.
  • About 65% of the children enrolled in our before and afterschool programs are military related.  We have an average of about 1,250 attending daily, of which 800+ are children of military service members.
  • We currently sponsor the Army’s School Age Program in Your Neighborhood (ASPYN).  ASPYN is a collaborative effort between the US Army and the Armed Services YMCA to provide soldiers living off-post reduced rate child care comparable to rates on-post.  Fees are based on “total family” income.  Currently, about 280 children are enrolled in the ASPYN Program.
  • We provide financial assistance to families for child care.  About 30% of our total participants are on some type of financial assistance and 25% of them are military families.
  • Total Number of Military Support Events and Activities from 2009-2011 was 37,460 – serving Soldiers and their Family Members, Veterans, and Gold Star Families.
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