Smiles Across the Miles: An activity for children with a deployed parent

  • Published
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  "Smiles Across the Miles" is a new outreach program coordinated by the Mountain Home AFB School Liaison Program and is designed to provide support to military kids coping with the challenges of having a parent deployed.

The December activity will be "Special Holiday Cards & Paper Hugs." The activity is held after school for one hour in a classroom. The activity includes a craft project specifically for the student to send to their deployed parent and a short story/discussion time about deployments and family.

Participants need to be in grades kindergarten through fourth grade at the elementary school location and fifth and sixth grades for the middle school location. Parents cannot leave younger children in the care of their siblings and staff will not provide childcare during the event.

Currently there will be a "Smiles Across the Miles" activity once a quarter, but Ms. Riger says in the future they hope to do it once a month. The activities will take place at Hacker Middle School and East Elementary School in Mountain Home.

Hacker Middle School: 3-4 p.m., Dec. 3. Sign up by Dec. 2.
East Elementary School: 3:15-4:15 p.m., Dec. 10. Sign up by Dec. 9

"Parents are welcome to stay for the activity, but their attendance is not required. The idea is to give kids a place to mingle with other children facing the same challenges," said Robin Riger, Airman and Family Readiness Center school liaison officer. "However, we will have information and resources for parents and will have support staff from A&FRC available to talk with parents if they are facing certain challenges."

Parents must pick their child up in person at the end of the activity. Children will not be released to walk home without a parent present.

All children of active duty, National Guard and Reserve who have a parent currently deployed are welcome to attend.

Parents must sign up their children prior to the event to ensure enough craft supplies and volunteers are available. For more information or to sign up, call the A&FRC at 828-2458.