KENNESAW - Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency financial and other assistance to military families, is accepting nominations for its Military Child of the Year Awards online at MilitaryChildOfTheYear.org through Dec. 15.  Winners will be recognized in April.

The award recognizes children who stand out among their peers. Ideal candidates demonstrate resilience, strength of character and thrive in the face of the challenges of military life.  These young heroes embody leadership within their families and communities.

This award is presented to an outstanding child from each branch of service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.  The winners each receive $5,000 and a laptop, and are flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for a recognition ceremony on April 11.  In previous years, recipients have had the honor of meeting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, and First Lady Michelle Obama, who spoke at the award ceremony.

“With so much uncertainty living in a military family, from constantly having to move to knowing that a parent is fighting for our country, it is amazing to see how strong these young people are to excel in the face of these challenges,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Operation Homefront.  “It’s not just the military members who serve, but their families as well.  We think these young patriots deserve to be honored for their sacrifice and their leadership.”

For more information on how to nominate a child in your community, to become a sponsor, or to see photos from past events, please log on to MilitaryChildOfTheYear.org.