KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Uniformed military personnel spent a Saturday morning shopping, wrapping and mailing presents -- all to make children smile on their birthdays.
The presents will go to children with March birthdays who've lost a military parent.
A Soldier's Child Foundation and the East Tennessee National Guard partnered for the event. First, they shopped for gifts at a Knoxville Wal-Mart. Then they wrapped the gifts at the National Guard Armory on Sutherland Avenue.
The Smyrna, Tennessee-based group spent about $30,000 on gifts for kids with March birthdays.
Founder Daryl Mackin said it all started when his neighbor's son died in war, leaving the neighbor's grandson behind. He saw how the boy suffered from the loss of his father.
"So simply what we did was celebrate his grandson's birthday... and then another one, and another one, and now we serve 4,000 children nationwide," Mackin said.
Five East Tennessee children got another surprise: a big birthday celebration. The lunch party was in honor of their parents.
A Soldier’s Child Foundation serves the children of military personnel who have lost their lives on active duty while defending the United States of America. It serves children from all 50 states through birthday celebrations, mentorship programs and scholarships.