In these challenging economic times, $500 is $500.

In Tammy Criddle’s case, that number is actually $3,000, which represents the grant money she received for her six children to attend karate classes.

“There’s no way we could afford that on our own,” said Criddle, a 35-year-old Hatley resident and full-time student at Itawamba Community College.

Criddle’s children and stepchildren are eligible for the money because her husband, Thomas “Jay” Criddle, is in Iraq.

Our Military Kids, a nonprofit group based in Virginia, provides up to $500 every six months for the sons and daughters of deployed National Guard and Reserve troops.

In the Criddles’ case, six checks went straight from Our Military Kids to Master Bill Johnson at East Mississippi Tang Soo Do in Amory.

“She filled out the paperwork, I signed it, she sent it in, and we had the money in less than three weeks – very efficient,” Johnson said. “Each check had a kid’s name on it.”

The program isn’t limited to karate. It’ll pay for football, art classes, tutoring, horseback riding lessons, gymnastics and other activities designed to keep a kid engaged while a parent is away from home. You’ll find a complete list of activities at www.ourmilitarykids.org.

The program won’t fund private school tuition or church mission trips, but the organization has proven to be surprisingly flexible, said Allen Pope, Mississippi National Guard state youth coordinator.

“One girl was in 4-H. She wanted to buy a cow and show it,” Pope said. “They put the money toward the cow. They knew she was going to be involved in those shows.”

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Ashley Strawhorn, 15, Alisha Strawhorn, 15, Chelse Strawhorn, 11, Jake Criddle, 6, Natalie Criddle, 5, and Jayden Criddle, 3, put on their uniforms for karate practice.

“Really, Jayden doesn’t like to participate a lot,” Alisha said. “He likes to play.”

Their mother said she’s glad all six have something to look forward to, and it doesn’t hurt if they work off extra energy while they’re at it.

“These kids are missing their daddy,” Criddle said, “and they need something to keep their minds busy, to keep them busy.”

Depending on the activity, Our Military Kids also can build bridges between the child and the deployed parent.

Tupelo resident Annaleise Carroll, 6, takes horseback riding lessons every Wednesday while her dad, Julian Carroll, is in Afghanistan.

“The neat thing is the connection with her dad,” said Annaleise’s mom, Stacy Carroll, “because he grew up around horses and taking lessons. It gives her the opportunity to relate to something he did as a kid.”

It’s part of Pope’s job to let families know about Our Military Kids, and clearly the word’s gotten out.

In September, 63 grants were awarded to National Guard and Reserve families in Mississippi, which was the highest in the nation. The state is ranked No. 7 on the grant list from January to October with a total of 317 grants.

“They take donations from corporations and individuals,” Pope said. “If you want to do something good for the troops over there, this may be the perfect way to help.”

While troops serve their country in foreign lands, Our Military Kids serves their families back home.

“It’s for children. Kids take it hard when their parent leaves,” Criddle said. “It’s not a cure-all, but it’s something extra they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Contact M. Scott Morris at (662) 678-1589 or scott.morris@djournal.com.