Winners Announced for 2011 Military Child of the Year Award

Deserving Young Patriots Will Win $5,000

SAN ANTONIO, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront today announced the five recipients of the 2011 Military Child of the Year® Award.  This year, for the first time, the award will be given to an outstanding military child from each Service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Each award recipient was chosen by a committee including active duty military personnel, Family Readiness Support Assistants, teachers, military mothers, and community members.  The five winners will receive $5,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C. for a special recognition ceremony on April 7, 2011.    

"The sons and daughters of America's service members learn what patriotism is at a very young age," said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront.  "Children in military families demonstrate leadership within their families and within their communities.  This is what the Military Child of the Year® Award honors."

Following are the winners of the 2011 Military Child of the Year® Award.  Air Force: Nicole Goetz, 17 years old, 12th grade from Tyndall AFB, Fla.  Army: Kyle Hoeye, 16 years old, 11th grade from Tucson, Ariz.  Coast Guard: Margaret Rochon, 17 years old, 12th grade from Jacksonville, N.C.  Marine Corps: Taylor Dahl-Sims, 17 years old, 12th grade from Oceanside, Calif.  Navy: Melissa Howland, 17 years old, 12th grade from Millis, Mass.

Profiles of each award recipient can be found at www.OperationHomefront.net/MCOY.

About Operation Homefront:  Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.   A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers across 23 chapters and met more than 167,000 needs in 2010.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs.  For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit www.OperationHomefront.net.

SOURCE Operation Homefront