4.20.2005 ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today applauded Our Military Kids, a new nonprofit organization that seeks to provide resources for children of deployed National Guard and Reserve parents.

"Organizations like Our Military Kids are working to ease the burden on the families of our nation's deployed Guard and Reserves," said retired Lt. Gen. Daniel Christman, Chamber senior vice president for International Affairs. "In the global war on terror, the National Guard and Reserve are increasingly being called to defend our nation. Americans have an obligation to ensure there is support for the loved ones they leave at home."

Our Military Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing extracurricular programs for the children of deployed Reserve and National Guard military personnel. Our Military Kids will partner with corporations and charitable foundations to help children--kindergarten through high school--of deployed military by providing grants to cover registration, instruction and instrument rental fees for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs.

While the military provides readily available programs to support active duty military families, these programs are often located on base. It is estimated that more than 60 percent of Guard and Reserve families live 25 miles from the nearest military installation. Our Military Kids addresses the unique circumstances of Guard and Reserve families, by providing support for them at home, in their local communities.

"April is the month of the military child, and it is important we recognize that not only are our deployed forces sacrificing, their families are as well," Christman added. "This program offers businesses, associations, foundations and individuals a chance to support one of our nation's most important priorities--our military children."

More information on Our Military Kids is available online, www.ourmilitarykids.org, including information on donating.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

www.uschamber.com