THE MILITARY FAMILY: Ft. Carson’s Military Spouse of Year gives back with heart and determination

FORT CARSON, Colo. (KRDO) -- Flexibility is inherent to being a military spouse. There are the moves every two to three years, the prolonged "soloing" during a spouse's deployment, and likely detachment from immediate family.  

But somehow, Lauren Jerden-Myers sails through it.  With six kids.  A full-time career as a realtor and owner of Affinity Home Partners. 

And volunteering most weekends with her family.

Her can-do approach just snagged her the 2026 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, Ft. Carson.

"It's a little bit of imposter syndrome, because you don't think of doing anything exceptional necessarily.  We just enjoy it," said Jerden-Myers, of her family's giving back.  "It makes you feel good, and it's a great way to meet other wonderful families."

Lauren and her husband, Staff Sergeant Edward Myers, volunteer with Project Angel Heart, an organization that makes and delivers medically-tailored meals to those who have debilitating conditions. 

They also organize holiday meals for military families in need. With the help of several nonprofit donors and Care and Share Food Bank. 

"Amongst the military it's not really talked about, but [food insecurity] is a very serious issue," said Jerden-Myers. 

A November 2025 publication of the National Institutes of Health backs that up.  27.7% of U.S. active duty service members and their families are food insecure. 

Being stationed in the Colorado Springs area, especially, exacerbates the need. 

"We were asking, 'How do we fill that gap?  How do we bridge that gap?'"

Last year, they were able to give 1,000 full Christmas meals to military families, drive-thru style. Lauren hopes that this year they can beat that by giving away 1,500 meals. 

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