CLARKSVILLE, Ohio — Bob Evans Farms launched a new initiative to support military families.
What You Need To Know
- Bob Evans Farms launched a new initiative to support military families
- The partnership with Operation Purple Camp allows more than 100 kids from military families the chance to attend a free week of summer camp
- NMFA, with the support of $60,000 from Bob Evans Farms, will send more than 1,500 kids to camp this summer in 13 locations across the country
The partnership with Operation Purple Camp allows more than 100 kids from military families the chance to attend a free week of summer camp.
“There’s a lot of hardships with military life that they have to face. Moving every two to three years. Training taking away a parent for long periods of time,” said Lyndy Rohe.
Rohe’s husband has been active in the military for two decades and the couple has moved across the country raising their four children.
Rohe, who was named director of development at the National Military Family Association, said she has the chance to give back to the community each day.
“I joked with my husband that we are now the dream team,” she said. “I get to support military families just like ours, with all of the resources and programs that we do at NMFA.”
With the help of Bob Evans Farms Purple Heroes initiative, 120 additional military kids in middle and high school attend a week of summer camp in June like one at Camp Joy in Clarksville, Ohio.
Bob Evans Farms Director of Communications Geo Money said the camp is a great way for military family children to relax and take a break from the challenges of everyday life.
“They’re moving around every two to three years, changing homes, making new friends. So this is a way for them to provide some consistency in their life,” said Money. “It may be the only vacation they get during the summer.”
“Yeah, a little bit of craziness around bouncing around, you know. I just being in a simple camp like this, for it to really be one place, we can all hang out and have fun,” said seventh-grade camper Zion Smith of Cincinnati.
Rohe said beyond camps, she encourages Ohioans to get to know the military families in their area.
“There are military families everywhere, and that is the most important thing you can do. Reach out to them, ask if they need help. Offer to babysit their kids. If they’re going through a deployment, bring them dinner,” said Rohe.
NMFA, with the support of $60,000 from Bob Evans Farms, will send more than 1,500 kids to camp this summer in 13 locations across the country.
