Bridging Distances Through Stories

Keeping Military Families Connected—One Story at a Time

When duty calls, distance can make connection hard for families. We make it easier.

A 501 c3 nonprofit, United Through Reading helps service members record and share storytime videos with the children in their lives, ensuring every military child can hear a loved one's voice —no matter where in the world they serve.

Since 1989, we've helped millions of military families stay close through the simple, powerful act of reading together. Because even when miles apart, stories can keep hearts connected.

Military families reading together every day, no matter the distance.

Download the United Through Reading App!

Stay connected through storytime! Our App lets military families record and share stories anytime, keeping loved ones close no matter the distance. Download now and start reading together!

App Download

Proven Impact, Lasting Connections

Over 3.8 million

military family members through the power of reading aloud together.

We Distributed Over 800,000 Books

to Story Stations, community events, and military base libraries, supporting strong literacy skills among military children.

Over 600,000 Stories

recorded and shared across the globe for countless hours of connection and joy.

Four-star Rating

A four-star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its dedication to good stewardship of donated funds.

Learn More

Help Military Families Stay Close — Donate Today

For more than 36 years, United Through Reading has brought comfort to millions of military families by helping them share stories, even when they’re miles apart. With your support, children and their loved ones can keep reading together through deployments, training, and every moment in between.

One Time Donation

Donate Monthly

Our Services

Recorded Storytime for Military Families

Mobile App for Digital Story Sharing

Free Books for Military Families

Story Stations at Military Installations

Special Events & Reading Programs

Our Funding Partners

"It created a lasting memory and helped my children feel my presence, even when I wasn’t physically there."

— Brigadier General Antoinette Gant

"United Through Reading has found a way for families to stay connected and help ease the pain a child feels when their parent is away. Instead of crying every night, the child can look forward to seeing their mom or dad on camera reading to them!"

— Grimes Family

"The program was a game changer for my girls when my hubs was deployed. We would record him reading their favorite books before he left on deployment each time. I kept the books he read in a basket near the TV. Whenever the girls were having a hard time, I'd ask them if they wanted to read with Daddy, and they would run to the books and plop down in front of the TV in anticipation. Not only did they get to see him and hear his voice, which kept them connected, but it also fed their love of reading."

— The Baumer Family

“The significance UTR brings to our military families creates and supports a bond that will last forever. UTR is a part of the four pillars of deployment: predeployment, deployment, reintegration, and sustainment. Within each pillar, UTR connects our families together and keeps them informed about the unknown and distance associated with a deployment.”

— TSgt Janell R Kersh, Joint Base Andrews, United States Air Force

Reading to my kids while deployed was very emotional. At first it's hard not to tear up because it's really the only connection with them while at sea. Yeah, I can email and Facebook messenger my wife, but for my kids it's a totally different situation. The videos were the only way I could communicate with them! Deploying with such young kids was a major concern; fear of the homecoming reunion was always on my mind. However, upon return he ran up to me hugged me and was so glad I was home. Come to find out he had watched me read to him well over 100 times while I was deployed and it became an almost nightly occurrence to "read with daddy.”

— Erik Brazzell, Machinist Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class, USN

Got questions? We’re here with answers, just a click away.

Bridging Distances Through Stories

Our Services

How Reading Aloud to Babies Helps with Early Literacy

How to Start Family Storytime Traditions, Even Through Deployment

Storybook Ball 2025 Event Highlights

Using Books to Share Positivity on World Smile Day

How to Use Books to Teach Empathy and Kindness

United Through Reading Welcomes New Board Members

How Dollar General, PepsiCo & 250 Volunteers Made a Nationwide Impact

A Weekend of Connection: Military Appreciation Night at Rate Field

10 Tips to Make Screen Time Count: Maximizing the Power of Recorded Storytime for Military Families

USAA Volunteers Bring Joy to 15,000 Military Children

Our Funding Partners

"It created a lasting memory and helped my children feel my presence, even when I wasn’t physically there."

"United Through Reading has found a way for families to stay connected and help ease the pain a child feels when their parent is away. Instead of crying every night, the child can look forward to seeing their mom or dad on camera reading to them!"

Bridging Distances Through Stories

Our Services

Our Funding Partners

"It created a lasting memory and helped my children feel my presence, even when I wasn’t physically there."

"United Through Reading has found a way for families to stay connected and help ease the pain a child feels when their parent is away. Instead of crying every night, the child can look forward to seeing their mom or dad on camera reading to them!"

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