MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Buoyed by a visit from California's First Lady, a hefty donation from a major fast-food chain and a commitment from 27 Marine and Navy volunteers with a heart for kids whose parents have gone off to war, "Operation Bigs" was formally launched here Tuesday.

The groundbreaking program, a collaboration between Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego and Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School here, pairs volunteer service members with schoolchildren separated from a deployed parent.

"As First Lady of this state, I want these children and their parents to know that we are thinking about them, we understand their sacrifice and we want to make a difference in their lives," said Maria Shriver, wife of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"These are extraordinary men and women who are taking time out of their day to make a difference in a child's life," she said about the volunteers, who met their student matches for the first time at the school as part of the program kickoff.

The program - which a school official says needs many more service members to step forward as mentors - also received a cardboard check denoting a $100,000 donation from Jack in the Box Corp.

The program currently has matched 27 children with mentors, said Sophie Ellis, program director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego. Seventy-five more children have signed up for the program and need mentors, she added.

"This program is a first for any military school in the country," said Lynne Gilstrap, the school's principal.

"This program would not exist today had so many different forces not come together," said Shriver, who thanked Jack in the Box for "stepping up."

"We have more companies in the San Diego area that can step up - and want to step up," she said.

Staff Sgt. Carla K. Ahmed, staff noncommissioned officer-in charge of Camp Pendleton's-degree completion program, explained why she's taking a student under her wing for at least one hour a week.

"It is a great opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community," she said.

Lance Cpl. Edward J. Czajka, another volunteer mentor on hand for the kickoff, will work with a boy at the school.

"If I was deployed, I would appreciate it if someone was watching my child and making sure he is doing OK in school," said Czajka, explaining his involvement.

Ahmed and Czajka, along with most of the other volunteers, met their "little brothers and sisters" for the first time at the kickoff.

"Right now, I haven't established a real strong bond yet, but what I'd like to do is be his friend, because I know that he needs someone to talk to sometimes," Czajka said.

First-day interaction between mentors and students included sharing juice and cookies, playing sports and engaging in conversation.

Ellis said the Marine Corps has showed "wonderful" support for the program.

"We would not be here today if it weren't for our volunteers; they are the ones that make the magic of (the program) happen."

Shriver said volunteers are stepping up because they recognize that children of military personnel, like their parents, are making a sacrifice for their country.

"People want to help. We need to make it possible. I am a big believer in making the access simple. Making volunteering accessible is key," Shriver said at a brunch that served as a forum for discussing issues facing military families.

"We have just begun and we have to step it up some more. We are thinking entrepreneurial," said Shriver, whose Military Family Initiative aims to recruit volunteers to help service members and their families in various ways, from baby-sitting to performing household chores, according to her Web site, www.firstlady.ca.gov.

"We are trying to engage and empower people, and are looking for ways to get the community involved. This is a great first step," she said.

Shriver, after flying onto the base in a private plane, visited schoolchildren, one of whom asked if she was the president's wife, according to local news accounts.

She outlined her husband's silver screen exploits, but students in the audience mostly stared blankly.

"I'm loving this audience," she said with a chuckle to adults gathered nearby.

She later alluded to "The Terminator," - the governor's most famous movie role - in pledging to return and check on the program's progress.

"I want you to know, even though it's my husband's line, I'll be back," she said with a smile.

To volunteer as a Big Brother or Sister, log on to www.beabig.net/opbig.asp, or call (858) 485-6964.