As a consultant staffed at the Performance Improvement Council, part of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, I have had the privilege of working many initiatives within the Federal Government. One such initiative, focused on our nation's veterans, is the Joining Forces Community Challenge. The Joining Forces Community Challenge was launched in July 2011 by the First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden in an effort to recognize and celebrate those citizens and organizations with a demonstrated, genuine, and deep desire to be of service and improve the lives of our military families.

Everyone from citizens to nonprofits, schools, and communities were encouraged to submit applications and, as part of the process, each applicant was required to submit a narrative stating why they are passionate about helping military families and how the lives of those military families (including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, veterans, and survivors of fallen troops) have been positively impacted.

It has been an incredible experience to witness the hundreds of submissions exemplifying the individuals and organizations that are stepping up in the communities all across this country. Now, as part of the next stage in the Challenge, 20 finalists have been selected and are posted on the Joining Forces Community Challenge website for public voting. By clicking the link, you, your friends, family, and co-workers can now see a few of the ways in which others are supporting military families throughout the country and vote for your favorite.

I'd like to encourage each of you to show your support by checking out the submissions which contain narratives, pictures, links to websites, and, in some cases, short videos. To do so, please follow this link to the Joining Forces Community Challenge website and click the "sign up" button at the top right of your screen. The process to sign up takes less than a minute, and it allows you to vote for those organizations, individuals, and communities you feel are doing great work in support of our service members, veterans, and their families. Each user can vote on each submission once every 24 hours, and each user can also vote on as many submissions as they desire.

For more information on the Challenge, please visit the Joining Forces Community Challenge website, or click the following link to the official White House press release.