Each year at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) presents awards to individuals and branches whose efforts best exemplify the ASYMCA mission of enriching the quality of life of military personnel and their families. At this year’s awards luncheon, sponsored by General Dynamics, the ASYMCA also announced winners of its annual art and essay contests for children of military families.

Every year, ASYMCA recognizes a lawmaker who advances public policies that improve the quality of life for America’s military families. This year, ASYMCA honors Rep. John Carter R-TX for his outstanding commitment to meeting the needs of America’s military families.

As a member of the House Military Quality of Life Subcommittee, Rep. John Carter (R-TX) works to ensure military personnel and their families’ needs are being provided for to the greatest extent possible. In 2006, he introduced the Military Spouses Employment Act in 2006, which would expand the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit to provide employers with tax incentives to hire qualified military spouses. Rep. Carter is reintroducing the bill in this Congress to help level the playing field for military spouses and prevent them from being penalized for frequent moves.

Founder of Washington D.C. based non-profit, The Clothing Recycling Company, Moses Robbins was named Volunteer of the Year for his contributions to the Back Door Boutique program in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Since 2004, he and his wife Sarah have sent a shipment of clothes and other items to the Camp Lejeune ASYMCA every six weeks for enlisted families in need. Mr. Robbins generous donations have expanded the program to now operate every other week, rather than just once a month.

The Raytheon Program Achievement Awards honor the Best New Program, Best Use of Volunteers and Most Innovative Improvement. Raytheon provides a grant of $10,000 for the Best New Program and $4,500 to each of the other winners.

“The Christmas You Missed” San Diego Armed Services YMCA San Diego, CA

On June 25th, 2008, the San Diego Armed Services YMCA will celebrate the magic of the holiday season with local military families who were apart due to deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, or who were separated due to other circumstances during Christmas 2007. During the 2nd Annual Christmas You Missed event, over 500 military family members will join us to recreate Christmas morning complete with holiday music, a buffet breakfast, and presents from Santa. Specifics of the event include: fresh cut Christmas trees; live carolers; falling snow; holiday cards and decorations adorning the walls and tables; Christmas cookie and gingerbread house decorating; Christmas craft stations; photos with Santa; Starbucks Christmas blend coffee; and holiday entertainment such as holiday themed movies and sporting events. However, the most exciting ceremony of the morning is recognizing new babies born during the deployment or separation period. This portion of the event in particular provides an emotionally charged opportunity for these families, enabling them to celebrate a first Christmas with their new addition. Finally, in the spirit of the season, each adult receives a Target gift card and each child receives two new unwrapped gifts from Santa.

“First Lady of Anchorage’s Military and Family Support Initiative” Armed Services YMCA of Alaska Anchorage, AK

The purpose of this program is to help provide different means for the civilian community to show how much care and respect they have for our Alaskan Military. The First Lady of Anchorage has established a http://www.muni.org/milfamilysupport/and uses her own resources to support the program.

In addition to the website, the First Lady has held periodic press conferences to make people aware of the need to show support for the Military families and to show them a simple yet meaningful way to provide support through the Armed Services YMCA.

The First Lady and ASYMCA staff have made some radio appearances to discuss the program. The First Lady has also developed and distributed flyers. The Mayor of Anchorage has presented this program as a Best Practice to the 76th Annual Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

“Playmorning Bucks” Honolulu Armed Services YMCA Honolulu, HI

Playmorning is a mobile program for children from birth to five years old and mom, dad, or childcare providers. Sessions meet for about two hours in military housing at playgrounds or community centers. This outreach program is offered Playmorning at 26 military housing locations per week. Part-time Playmorning Coordinators transport toys, mats, tables, equipment and craft supplies to the sites. Their most important work is to get to know moms, introduce them to other parents, talk about family life, share parenting tips, model appropriate behaviors, and suggest classes, outings, and opportunities available not only at the ASYMCA, but throughout Oahu.

Community YMCAs often serve families of the National Guard and Reserves who frequently are not located on or near major military installations and do not have the support structure available to active duty military. For facilities that serve these and other military families in need, ASYMCA presents awards to community YMCAs across the country. These awards are also sponsored by Raytheon: