Operation Kid Comfort

Helping Military Children Cope During Deployments

Operation Kid Comfort provides quilts to military children of deployed active duty service men and women. Volunteers lovingly create hand-crafted, custom photo-transfer quilts to help children cope with the stress and loneliness that comes with being separated from a parent during deployment.

Make a Request

I contacted Operation Kid Comfort before my husband deployed looking for things to comfort our 3-year-old daughter. When the quilt arrived, I was in tears. I cannot tell you how wonderful this quilt is. My daughter has not let it out of her sight. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I want you all to know the difference you have made in our lives with this quilt. We are smiling ear to ear! Military Spouse, Operation Kid Comfort

Program Overview

  • Quilts are made for children, age newborn to age 12.
  • Each quilt includes up to eight (8) photos depicting favorite memories of, or with, the deploying parent.
  • Quilts are limited to one per child.
  • Volunteer quilters provide the materials and talent used to create these keepsakes; as such, we accept custom requests for colors, patterns, and characters when available.
  • Families are not required to wait to submit a request until the service member is actively deployed. Requests can be submitted up to eight (8) weeks before or eight (8) weeks after a deployment.
  • The programs cost is $5.00 per child. The fee is due upon registration.
  • The Armed Services YMCA may ship the quilt for a $15.00 shipping fee to cover shipping costs if the family requesting a quilt is unable to pick up from the Armed Services YMCA on Camp Pendleton. Families requesting a quilt for more than one child will only need to pay the shipping once.
  • Families local to Camp Pendleton must pick up their quilts from the Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton’s Main Office.
  • Processing time to receive a quilt is 8-12 weeks after photos are submitted.
  • Requests must be submitted by an active duty, guard, or reserve service member with current orders to deploy, or by one of their immediate family members.
  • This program is open to all service members, regardless of rank or service branch.
  • Families not local to Camp Pendleton may still request quilts, but will need to pay the additional shopping fee of $15.00.
  • If your military family does not meet the deployment criteria, but is otherwise subject to separation from your service member for six (6) consecutive months or more, please contact us here to inquire about eligibility.
  • Nine (9) good quality photos. These photos must depict the deploying service member with the child receiving the quilt or the service member alone, both must be visible. We suggest choosing photos that capture memories your child can relate to. Only eight (8) will go on the quilt. All photos need to be of good quality, and not blurry. Only one family photo is allowed on the quilt
  • Pictures with any type of weapons and alcoholic drinks will not be accepted. Appropriate clothing is required
  • Please make sure the photos you submit are high-quality enough that they will print clear and sharp at approximately 4″ x 4″ aka square cut. You may also crop the photos to a square cut before submitting them to review how the photos will look on the quilt.
  • Once you have organized your photos, and registered your child you may send the photos to the email provided on the registration page.
  • Click the “Make a Request” link above.