Gold Star Gamers
Gamers' Wish: Empowering Military Children Through Technology
Every child deserves the tools to learn, grow, and connect. For the children of fallen and surviving military families, technology isn't just about gaming—it's about education, community, and healing. Through the Gamers' Wish program, we're providing critical devices that empower military children to thrive academically, build meaningful friendships, and pursue their dreams. Each request represents a story of resilience, determination, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Matthew Hester: Building a Foundation for Success
Matthew Hester is a surviving military child with big goals and even bigger determination. His current computer freezes frequently, disrupting homework assignments and making online learning a constant struggle. Matthew needs a reliable laptop that can support both his academic responsibilities and provide a healthy outlet through gaming.
What Matthew needs: A dependable laptop for schoolwork and gaming that won't fail him when deadlines approach or when he wants to connect with friends online.
The impact: This laptop will empower Matthew to stay on track academically, participate in virtual programs, and enjoy gaming as a connection point with his peers. Your support gives Matthew reliability, opportunity, and joy—all in one meaningful gift.
Education First
Stable platform for homework and online learning
Healthy Outlet
Gaming as connection and stress relief
Social Bridge
Staying connected with friends and community
David Wheeler: Two Pathways to Connection
David Wheeler is a dedicated young gamer and proud member of the Gold Star Gamers community. Having endured profound loss, David has found strength and connection through the GSG network. He submitted two thoughtful requests, each addressing different needs in his journey toward healing and growth.
Request #1: Gaming Laptop
Purpose: Portable solution for GSG participation, playing with friends, and homework support
Why it matters: Offers flexibility to stay connected wherever he is—at home, school, or on the go. A laptop provides the mobility David needs to maintain friendships and keep up with his studies simultaneously.
Request #2: Desktop Computer
Purpose: Primary gaming setup with long-term stability and performance
Why it matters: A desktop provides the power and consistency needed for deeper engagement in the GSG ecosystem. For a child navigating grief, the ability to plug into a supportive community makes a world of difference.
Both requests reflect David's commitment to staying engaged socially, growing within the gaming community he loves, and maintaining academic success. His family shares heartfelt appreciation for support that keeps him uplifted during challenging times.
Thomas Carruth: Engineering Tomorrow's Future
From Curiosity to Creation
Thomas Carruth is a bright and curious mind with a growing passion for coding and robotics. He's requesting an Anki Cozmo Robot—a hands-on learning tool that transforms abstract programming concepts into tangible, interactive experiences.
This isn't just a toy; it's a gateway to STEM education. The Cozmo Robot allows Thomas to write code, see immediate results, and iterate on his ideas—building confidence and technical skills with each experiment.
"This gift will open the door for Thomas to step into STEM—building, coding, and dreaming big. Your support fuels a future engineer."
01
Learn Programming Basics
Visual coding interface makes concepts accessible
02
Practice Robotics
Hands-on experimentation with real hardware
03
Build Future Skills
Foundation for engineering and technology careers
Jacklyn Williams: Restoring Access to Learning
Jacklyn Williams is a resilient military survivor and dedicated student facing a significant challenge: her iPad, the primary tool she relies on for schoolwork and creative projects, is cracked and failing. Her family is slowly saving for a replacement, but the broken device continues to hinder her daily academic work.
Educational Lifeline
An iPad enables Jacklyn to complete homework assignments, access digital textbooks, participate in online classes, and submit projects on time. Without reliable technology, her academic performance suffers through no fault of her own.
Creative Expression
Beyond academics, the iPad serves as a platform for digital art, writing, and creative projects that help Jacklyn process her experiences and express herself. These creative outlets are essential for emotional well-being.
Independence & Confidence
Having a functioning device restores Jacklyn's ability to work independently, stay organized, and take ownership of her education. This gift is more than a device—it's a statement that her education and growth matter.
Meeting Diverse Needs: Gaming as Connection
For military children navigating loss and transition, gaming provides more than entertainment—it offers community, emotional outlets, and safe spaces for connection. The following children have requested gaming devices that will help them stay engaged with peers and find joy during difficult times.
Sofie Price
Request: Nintendo Switch Lite
Accessible gaming platform for connection with peers and emotional expression. Portable design allows Sofie to maintain friendships and find comfort wherever she goes.
Austin
Request: Nintendo Switch Lite
A gaming system that provides recreation, community access, and meaningful connections with other military children who understand his experience.
Isaiah Clements
Request: Gaming Gift Cards
Flexible support for purchasing games, downloadable content, and digital tools. Empowers Isaiah to make choices about his own entertainment and learning.
Aiden Badstibner
Request: Gaming PC
High-performance system to support online play, competitive growth, and deeper engagement with gaming communities that provide support and belonging.
Education & Gaming: A Balanced Approach
Several military children need devices that serve dual purposes—supporting academic success while also providing healthy recreational outlets. These requests recognize that thriving children need both educational tools and opportunities for play, connection, and joy.
Evan Badstibner
New Laptop for schoolwork, gaming, and comprehensive digital access. Provides the versatility Evan needs to excel academically while staying connected socially.
Arianna Bryant
Gaming Equipment to support her educational needs and digital engagement. Helps Arianna balance learning responsibilities with healthy recreational time.
Amaya Johnson
Tech & Equipment to maintain the crucial balance between school obligations and gaming enjoyment. Recognizes that successful students need both work and play.
These children understand the importance of education while also recognizing their need for connection and stress relief. Your support helps them maintain this healthy balance during a challenging chapter of their lives.
Specialized Support: Gaming as Therapy & Joy
Sydney Lannigan
Sydney has requested gaming equipment specifically for engagement, therapy, and joy. For many military children, gaming serves as a therapeutic tool—providing structure, achievement, and safe emotional expression.
Research shows that gaming can support mental health by offering:
  • Stress reduction through immersive experiences
  • Sense of accomplishment and progress
  • Social connection in low-pressure environments
  • Creative problem-solving opportunities
Ellis Wolfe & Lialani Perez
Ellis Wolfe needs laptop/tech support for gaming and digital creativity—blending entertainment with creative expression that helps him process experiences and build skills.
Lialani Perez has requested gaming device and digital access support to maintain vital connections within the military children community and beyond.
Both children demonstrate how gaming transcends entertainment, becoming a tool for healing, growth, and sustained connection during difficult transitions.
STEM Learning: James Mergulhao
The Request
James Mergulhao needs tablet support specifically designed for learning, reading, and expanded online access to educational resources.
The Purpose
A tablet will provide James with immediate access to digital libraries, educational apps, interactive STEM content, and online courses that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.
The Impact
By supporting James's STEM learning journey, we're investing in a young person with the potential to innovate, create, and contribute to future scientific and technological advances.
James represents the future of STEM—a military child with curiosity, determination, and the drive to learn. A tablet removes barriers between James and the educational content that will shape his academic trajectory and career possibilities. This isn't just about a device; it's about unlocking potential and affirming that his intellectual growth matters.
Special Connections: Brothers & Mentorship
KayCee & Ethan LaMar
Brothers supporting each other through gaming. Ethan (Specter) is requesting Battlefield 6 for his brother KayCee (NitroVenture) for his 17th birthday. Gaming creates bonds that help military families stay connected.
Tyler Austin (17)
Wants Palworld on Steam so he can play with Austin and Red Ranger, showing how gaming builds friendships and community among military youth.
Lialani Perez (15)
Requesting a PlayStation to honor her father's love of video games. Her father's old console no longer works, but she keeps it in her room as a connection to his memory.
More Stories of Hope & Connection
Sofie Price (18)
Struggling with ADHD, needs a voice recorder to help with college classes. She's 4.5 hours from home and facing anxiety about her first semester.
Arianna Bryant (14)
Using a very old laptop that dies quickly and can't run necessary school programs. Needs a MacBook Air to last through high school and college.
Brandon Robinson Jr (13)
Wants Xbox Game Pass to connect better with his GSG mentor through different games they can play together.
Ava Williams (13)
Needs a PS5 gaming console to participate in the Gold Star Gaming program and connect with other military children.
Aaron Engel (9)
A shy child who would benefit from gaming to connect with other children virtually and build social connections.
Each request represents a unique path to healing, learning, and community connection.
Your Impact: Transforming Lives Through Technology
25+
Military Children
Each with unique needs and boundless potential
30+
Meaningful Requests
Carefully considered gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, STEM tools, and educational devices that support growth
100%
Life-Changing Impact
Every device opens doors to opportunity
Through the Gamers' Wish program, your generosity provides more than devices—you deliver hope, connection, and opportunity to military children who have sacrificed so much. These children are navigating grief, transition, and uncertainty, yet they remain determined to learn, grow, and thrive.
Your support affirms a powerful message: These children matter. Their education matters. Their joy matters. Their future matters.
"Technology is the bridge between isolation and community, between struggle and success, between loss and hope. Thank you for building that bridge for military children."
Support a Child Today