JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson offers year-round support to children of deployed service members through Operation Kid Comfort.
In late 2017, more than 1,500 troops deployed from JBER. During these times, families go through an immense amount of change which can lead to stress.
“The ASYMCA is always looking for ways to make deployments as easy as possible on our military families,” said Brina Lynch, ASYMCA of Alaska program director. “We know for children it can be especially hard to sort through a wide range of emotions and stressors regarding the absence of a parent. One of the ways we are able to help young military children cope with deployment stress is through a program called Operation Kid Comfort.”
Program volunteers at the ASYMCA of Alaska coordinate with local quilting groups to create custom-made photo-transfer quilts and pillow cases for the children of deployed active-duty service members.
“Each one of these keepsakes is hand-made by a volunteer and donated with love and good wishes for the recipient,” Lynch said. “Our hope is for these items of comfort to help children with the emotional stresses by providing warmth, memories, and security to children who are separated from their deployed parent.”
Because this is a volunteer-based program, each hand-made craft is done on request. The hand-crafted quilts and pillow cases can be made for each child in the family.
“Coordinating for these quilts to be made is truly a special job,” said Deborah Templeton, Operation Kid Comfort quilt coordinator. “Once the photos are received by the quilters, materials are selected and the work begins.”
“I think quilting is a combination of handwork and heart work; it allows me to do something nice for someone that’ll stand the test of time,” said Vee Anderson, Quilts from the Heart volunteer. “I want these young children to have a tangible reminder of their parent’s love, as well as know the love and support of the communities around them. The excitement that is seen in the children when they receive them makes all the time and work worth it.”
“Regardless of a loved one’s time of service, families withstand separation from their service member at one point or another,” Templeton said. “Our hope is for people to reach out during these times so we can do whatever we can to support them.”
For more information or to learn more about how this program works, and other services available, stop by either of the two locations on JBER or visit https://www.asymca.org/okc-alaska.