2026 Semifinalists for Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year® Award Announced

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit working to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families, has named the 68 semifinalists for their 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award.

The Military Child of the Year Award is the nation’s premier tribute to our nation’s military children, who serve and sacrifice alongside their parents. The program celebrates the remarkable achievements, character, and contribution of these young people, and once again saw a record number of nominations this cycle. This year’s semifinalists represent military children from across the globe, reflecting the diverse experiences of families stationed in communities large and small, both in the United States and overseas.

The Military Child of the Year Award recognizes military children whose leadership, resilience, and service shine despite the constant change and challenges of military life. For recipients, the award is more than an honor- it’s a lasting source of pride and offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with senior military leaders and fellow military kids who share their experiences.

Finalists for the 2026 Military Child of the Year Award will be selected in February by a panel of independent, volunteer judges. The final seven award recipients – one representing each branch of the military – will be announced in March and each will receive $10,000, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts at a gala held in their honor in Washington D.C. in April.

Visit our Military Child of the Year® Award page to learn more.

The following are the 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award semifinalists by service branch.

Air Force

Morgan B.- 18, Elkhorn, NE

Raegan B.- 16, Sheppard AFB, TX

Katen F.- 18, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Benjamin G.- 16, Tampa, FL

Abby H.- 17, Burke, VA

Kenley N.- 16, Brussels, Belgium

Andrew P.- 18, Kathleen, GA

Daniel R.- 17, Eielson AFB, AK

Elizabeth S.- 16, College Station, TX

Abigail T.- 18, Maineville, OH

Army

Amani A.- 18, Lutz, FL

Shannon A.-16, Fort Drum, NY

Kelsey B.- 17, Anchorage, AK

Zenobia D.- 17, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Jack D.- 18, Springfield, VA

Joslyn H.- 18, Wichita, KS

Mikayla M.- 17, Alexandria, VA

Natalie P.- 17, Fayetteville, NC

Kinsey R.- 17, West End, NC

Loren V.- 17, Easley, SC

 

Coast Guard

Caitlin E.- 17, Junction City, WI

Mya F.- 17, Warrenton, OR

Jake F.- 18, New City, NY

Logan M.- 18, Hamilton, NJ

Mary Louise M.- 13, Owings, MD

Joseph O.- 17, Bethesda, MD

Mia S.- 17, Virginia Beach, VA

Jesse S.- 16, Lakeside, AZ

Victoria V.- 17, Kill Devil Hills, NC

 

Marine Corps

Virginia B.- 17, Havelock, NC

Cooper C.- 16, Piney Point, MD

James D.- 16, Falls Church, VA

Alaynna H.- 17, Fredericksburg, VA

Matthew J.- 17, Saint Augustine, FL

Hannah K.- 17, Sneads Ferry, NC

Mia M.- 18, Kailua, HI

Connor N.- 17, Hampton, NH

Miley P.- 17, Oceanside, CA

Daniel P.- 17, Swansboro, NC

 

National Guard

Olivia A.- 18, Maumee, OH

Elijah G.- 18 North Dinwiddie, VA

Tanner G.- 17- Rainbow City, AL

Genesis H.- 16, Marion, NC

Kristin L.- 15, Center Moriches, NY

Lila M.- 18, Lithia, FL

Alayna R.- 17, Clinton Township, MI

Ashley S.- 15, Oak Creek, WI

Kate W.- 18, Stillwater, OK

Grant W.- 17, New Albany, OH

Navy

Jude C.- 16, Sasebo, Japan

Abigail F.- 17, Bryceville, FL

Charlotte G.- 17, Chesterbrook, PA

Julian H.- 17, Georgetown, TX

Katelyn J.- 17, Leonardtown, MD

Ethan L.- 16, Miami, FL

Hadi S.- 16, San Antonio, TX

Bianca V.- 15, Lakeside, CA

Ayla Z.- 18, King George, VA

Grace Z.- 16, King George, VA

 

Space Force

Abigail A.- 18, Colorado Springs, CO

Shu Xian Mila B.- 17, Raphine, VA

Kaitlyn C.- 16, Colorado Springs, CO

Hadlee F.- 18, Gainesville, FL

Brandon K.- 17, Cerritos, CA

Olivia K.- 18, Littleton, CO

Taylor S.- 18, Colorado Springs, CO

Athena S.- 16, Satellite Beach, FL

Joshua Y.- 16, Fairfax, VA

About Operation Homefront:
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional and social well-being. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 83 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Media Inquiries:
Amber Myszka
Director, Integrated Public Relations
Amber.Myszka@OperationHomefront.org
(208) 258-1476

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SOURCE Operation Homefront

Beko Secures #1 Spot for Household Durables Industry in the Corporate Knights Global 100

Top ranking comes alongside recent acknowledgements from S&P Global, CDP and EcoVadis, reflecting Beko’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and advanced manufacturing

ISTANBUL, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beko, a global leader in home appliances, has been recognised in the 2026 Corporate Knights Global 100, ranking 45th among the world’s most sustainable publicly listed companies and first globally in the household durables industry. Following a category leading ranking in the 2025 Corporate Knights Global 100, where Beko placed 68th overall, the company advanced 23 positions in 2026 while maintaining its #1 position in the household durables industry. This achievement reflects Beko’s continued progress in developing sustainability as a core driver of its strategy, operations and sustained growth.

The Corporate Knights recognition builds on a series of recent global sustainability assessments that consistently position Beko among industry leaders. In 2025, Beko was named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for the second-year running, earning a place in the Top 20 and securing the #1 position in its industry. Furthermore, the company achieved the highest score in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) within the DHP Household Durables Industry for the seventh consecutive year, was awarded a Gold Medal in the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment, placing it in the top 3% of all companies assessed. In 2026, Beko once again achieved “Double A” status from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for both Climate Change and Water Security, placing the company among the global leaders in corporate transparency.

Turning Commitment into Action

These achievements recognise the importance Beko places on sustainability and real climate action. In 2024, the company invested 165 million Euros in environmental-related investments and expenditures. Today, low-carbon products generate for more than 70% of total revenue, while energy-efficient appliances continue to make up a significant portion of this share. Material efficiency initiatives embedded in product design delivered savings of more than 17,000 tonnes. Circularity is further strengthened through the use of over 27,800 tonnes of recycled plastics across manufacturing in 2024. In parallel, Beko scaled up its refurbishment activities, extending the life of more than 114,000 appliances in 2024 through its global refurbishment network.

“Our recognition in the Corporate Knights Global 100, alongside our leadership rankings from S&P Global, CDP, and EcoVadis, confirms that sustainability sits at the core of how we design, invest, and grow our business across the markets we operate. Together, these outcomes validate our commitment and prove that scale and innovation, when guided by responsibility, can deliver measurable impact for society, the economy, and our planet.” said Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Beko.

The Corporate Knights Global 100 is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous global sustainability rankings. The index assesses how effectively public-listed companies are developing sustainable economic models, focusing on sustainable revenue, investment, and growth, with ESG performance serving as a minimum threshold. Beko’s performance highlights its ability to scale sustainability across products, manufacturing and capital allocation, while delivering resilient business outcomes.

About Beko

Beko is an international home appliance company with a strong global presence, operating through subsidiaries in more than 55 countries with a workforce of over 50,000 employees and production facilities spanning multiple regions—including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Beko has 22 brands owned or used with a limited license (Arçelik, Beko, Whirlpool*, Grundig, Hotpoint, Arctic, Ariston*, Leisure, Indesit, Blomberg, Defy, Dawlance, Hitachi*, Voltas Beko, Singer*, ElektraBregenz, Flavel, Bauknecht, Privileg, Altus, Ignis, Polar). Beko became the largest white goods company in Europe with its market share (based on volumes) and reached a consolidated turnover of 10.6 billion Euros in 2024. Beko’s 28 R&D and Design Centers & Offices across the globe are home to over 2,300 researchers and hold more than 4,500 international registered patent applications to date. The company has achieved the highest score in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) in the DHP Household Durables industry for the seventh consecutive year (based on the results dated 16 October 2025).** The company has been recognized as the 17th most sustainable company on TIME Magazine and Statista’s 2025 list of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies. Beko’s vision is ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide.’ 

www.bekocorporate.com  

*Licensee limited to certain jurisdictions.  
**The data presented belongs to Arçelik A.Ş., a parent company of Beko.  

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SOURCE Beko

Global Lead Market Volume to Hit 18.89 Mn Tons by 2031 as Battery Demand and Sustainability Focus Accelerate | Mordor Intelligence

HYDERABAD, India, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global lead market size is projected to grow steadily, with volumes expected to rise from about 17.08 million tons in 2026 to nearly 18.89 million tons by 2031, reflecting a 2.04% CAGR.

Mordor Intelligence Logo (PRNewsfoto/Mordor Intelligence Private Limited)

Demand remains resilient due to strong usage in batteries, which account for over 81% of total consumption, supported by data-center UPS systems and gradual EV uptake in emerging Asian economies.

Recycled lead already accounts for a major share of global supply, and tightening sustainability regulations – especially in Europe – are accelerating the shift toward scrap-based production over primary mining. At the same time, Asia-Pacific continues to lead the market, supported by the rapid growth of electric rickshaws in India and strong recycling initiatives in China. With market control spread across several players rather than concentrated among a few, there is clear opportunity for efficient, vertically integrated recyclers to strengthen their position and expand their footprint.

Lead Market Trends and Insights

Stricter Recycling Mandates Reshaping Battery Supply Chains

Environmental regulations in major economies are accelerating the shift toward higher recycled content in batteries. These policies are encouraging closer collaboration between manufacturers and recyclers, while favoring companies with integrated collection and processing capabilities. As a result, compliance is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage rather than just a regulatory obligation.

Upgrading Smelters to Improve Resource Efficiency

Producers are modernizing existing smelting facilities to process mixed and lower-grade ores more efficiently. By retrofitting multi-metal operations instead of building new plants, companies can reduce costs, extend asset life, and stabilize supply. This approach is helping primary production remain viable while adapting to changing resource quality and market conditions.

Lead Market Share by Region

The Asia-Pacific region continues to lead the global lead market, supported by strong recycling ecosystems, cost-sensitive electric mobility, and efficient metal processing capabilities. China’s focus on urban recycling has strengthened secondary supply, while India and several Southeast Asian countries rely heavily on lead-based batteries for affordable, low-speed electric transport and last-mile logistics

North America benefits from a well-established battery recovery network that feeds recycled material directly back into domestic smelters. While infrastructure upgrades have reduced traditional uses such as plumbing, they have simultaneously boosted recycling volumes and secondary production. Europe shows a cautious transition toward alternative battery chemistries, but performance limitations continue to favor lead systems, especially in colder climates.

For a full breakdown of market size, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence, access the details of the Mordor Intelligence report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/lead-market?utm_source=prnewswire

Lead Industry Segmentation Insights 

By Application

  • Ammunition
  • Batteries
  • Construction
  • Electronics
  • Marine
  • Plumbing
  • Other applications such as shielding and chemical processing

By Supply Source

  • Primary (mining-based production)
  • Secondary (recycled lead)

By Product Form

  • Refined lead (ingots)
  • Lead alloys
  • Lead oxide and related chemicals
  • Lead concentrates

By End-User Industry

  • Automotive
  • Energy and utilities
  • Industrial manufacturing
  • Construction and infrastructure
  • Consumer electronics
  • Defense
  • Maritime
  • Other end-user industries including chemicals

Geography

Asia-Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ASEAN countries
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

North America

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico

Europe

  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe

South America

  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa

  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Rest of the Middle East and Africa

Explore Chemicals & Materials Industry Research: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/market-analysis/chemicals-materials?utm_source=prnewswire

Major Companies Include: 

  • Glencore
  • KOREAZINC
  • Teck Resources Limited
  • Vedanta Resources Limited
  • Nyrstar

Check out related reports published by Mordor Intelligence:

Base Metals Market: The base metals market is evaluated by metal type – such as copper, aluminums, zinc, nickel, lead, and tin – and by major end-use sectors including construction, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods with regional coverage spanning Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore PLC, Jiangxi Copper Corporation, Rio Tinto are the major companies operating in the market.

Read more about companies active in Base Metals Industry: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/base-metals-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire

Lithium Market: The lithium market is analyzed by compound type and major applications, with demand assessed across key end-user industries. The report also provides regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

About Mordor Intelligence:    

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals.    

With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.    

For any inquiries, please contact:
media@mordorintelligence.com
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/contact-us 

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SOURCE Mordor Intelligence Private Limited

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