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Foundation Honors Those Who Died For Country Through Their Kids

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Organizers call them "America's forgotten children", those who have lost a parent to military service.

Today those children were treated to a huge celebration, just in time for their birthdays! A Soldier's Child Foundation honors fallen military men and women by gifting a big box of birthday goodies to their kids.

And as one child explains, it's an event that helps keep his father's legacy alive with every sheet of paper and box prepared.

A Soldier's Child Foundation honors the memory of a lost parent who made the ultimate sacrifice and left a child behind.

"It's for the kids, and it's a way to answer yes, it did matter and we do care. Many of these kids feel invisible after they lose a parent in the military," said Daryl Mackin, executive director of A Soldier's Child Foundation.

Volunteers like 12-year-old Laura DeGeorge were up early to buy gifts at Wal-Mart for children who have birthdays in July. She was tasked with finding something special for a 12-year-old girl.

"I really want to get her an iPad because she says she wants anything, and I feel very bad for her that her parents died, so I'm going to do my best to get her anything," said DeGeorge.

For teenagers like Dakota Cline, the group's heartfelt birthday boxes have helped him remember the legacy of his father who died when he was two.

"A Soldier's Child makes you feel really good. And blessed that you have this," said Cline.

Now celebrating his 15th birthday, Cline says the organization has helped him take his father's love of basketball on the court for his games.

"I always give a prayer before I do for some luck. Because I know, when I shoot that ball, he helps it go in," said Cline.

It's a salute to service, complete with a bow and birthday wishes. Dozens of children received gifts today. The foundation spends $150 on each birthday, for each child.

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