UW Extension, Wyoming National Guard to Celebrate Military Children This Month

University of Wyoming Extension is partnering with the Wyoming National Guard to offer activities and events to honor military children throughout the month.

Tables with purple table cloths in a gym. — Community members gather in Laramie County to celebrate the 2016 Month of the Military Child. This year’s events include a community carnival in Laramie County. Those who want to show their support for military children are encouraged to wear purple on April 15 (UW Extension file photo).

“We are excited to celebrate April as the Month of the Military Child,” says Dawn Sanchez, UW Extension 4-H/youth educator in Laramie County. “Military children and families deserve recognition and appreciation for their selfless service. April is a time for the public to acknowledge and honor military children for their daily sacrifices.”

UW Extension encourages businesses, organizations, community groups and clubs, families and individuals to celebrate Purple Up Day Friday, April 15. Wearing purple is a way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices.

“Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported,” Sanchez says. “Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red and Coast Guard blue are thought to combine together as a single color: purple.”

To prepare for Purple Up Day, the Wyoming National Guard Child and Youth Program will host a tie dye party Thursday, April 14. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the AGO Gym, located at 5500 Bishop Blvd. in Cheyenne. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Cindy Vroman-Pugh, a program coordinator with the Wyoming National Guard, at (307) 256-8580.

Purple Up Day participants are encouraged to email photos to Sanchez at dawns@uwyo.edu or Vroman-Pugh at cindy.vromanpugh.cyp@gmail.com. Photos will be posted on Facebook, and participants will be entered in a drawing for prizes.

Laramie County 4-H and the Wyoming National Guard will host a carnival for families Thursday, April 21. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 6-8 p.m. in the ANB Bank Leadership Center, located in the Laramie County Community College Clay Pathfinder Building. The evening will include games, food and prizes. Additionally, a medical helicopter will be on display in the parking lot for attendees to tour and learn more about.

Throughout the month, 4-H clubs and families can participate in a statewide service project. Young people, club leaders and family members are invited to create fingerprint comic strips that they will wrap around candy bars. They will then give them to military families to thank them for their service.

For more information about Month of the Military Child events or activities, call Sanchez at (307) 799-8780 or email dawns@uwyo.edu.