Transforming Loss into Lifelong Support: A Soldier’s Child Foundation

For the children of fallen military heroes, grief arrives without warning — a weight too heavy for young shoulders to bear alone. At A Soldier's Child Foundation, that overwhelming burden is met with something transformative: a community fiercely determined to turn profound heartbreak into hope.

Through personalized birthday celebrations, immersive outdoor camps, and life-changing scholarships, A Soldier's Child creates meaningful experiences that remind these young people they remain seen, deeply loved, and forever connected to something larger than their loss. Their mission stands both simple and profound — honoring the sacrifice of fallen soldiers by nurturing the dreams of the children they left behind.

A Mission Rooted in Love

A Soldier's Child Foundation began with one community's response to devastating loss. When a local family lost their son in Iraq, JoJo's husband felt an unshakable call to action. He committed to making sure that the young man's sacrifice, and the sacrifices of others like him, would never fade from memory. What started as a single act of compassion blossomed into a nationwide mission that now embraces thousands of children across America.

This legacy of care continues through people like Rachel. After losing her military father in 2012, Rachel entered the program as a child herself, finding solace in camps and joy in birthday gifts from the foundation. Her connection ran so deep that she never truly departed — she now serves on staff as a scholarship administrator and mentor, guiding the next generation through familiar terrain.

"I literally grew up within this program," Rachel reflects. "It completely shaped who I am today, and now I have the privilege of helping shape others who walk this path."

Meeting the Challenge of Growth

With its expanding reach, A Soldier's Child Foundation faces what might be called a beautiful dilemma: growing rapidly enough to embrace all the families who need their support.

Coordinating year-round camps, managing comprehensive scholarship programs, and orchestrating a packed calendar of events demands more than just passionate hearts. It requires meticulous organization, seamless communication, and robust systems to support an ever-growing community of families and volunteers.

"Our capacity for sustainable growth remains our most pressing challenge," JoJo explains. "We're committed to serving as many families as possible, but we must ensure we have the infrastructure and systems to do it with excellence every single time."

Supporting the Mission with Smarter Tools

To navigate the complexity of their expanding programs, A Soldier's Child Foundation turned to SignUpGenius as a cornerstone of their operational strategy. What once existed as scattered spreadsheets and endless email chains transformed into a streamlined process for gathering essential family information, organizing detailed camp rosters, and managing event registrations — all found within a single intuitive platform.

"SignUpGenius has been absolutely transformative for our operations," Rachel says. "We can efficiently organize our program rosters, seamlessly integrate new families, and maintain everything in one accessible place. It reclaims countless hours that we can redirect toward what truly matters — creating meaningful experiences for the children we serve."

With SignUpGenius handling the logistical complexities, the team channels more energy into crafting the profound experiences that define A Soldier's Child — helping families heal, grow, and discover new community in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.

A Future Built on Hope

Each campfire circle, each celebrated birthday, each scholarship awarded represents another step forward for a child learning to navigate life after profound loss. Through the unwavering dedication of its team and the embracing support of their growing community, A Soldier's Child Foundation continues to demonstrate that even in life's darkest chapters, joy and purpose can flourish.

Their ongoing work stands as a living tribute not just to those who served and sacrificed, but to the bright, promising futures their children still deeply deserve.