2000 Books to Military Families on Road Show
May 2, 2022
United Through Reading’s first-ever Mobile Story Station Road Trip is complete! The adventure consisted of 630 miles with stops at Edwards Air Force Base, Ft. Irwin, Twentynine Palms, and MCLB Barstow.
The week-long journey was designed for United Through Reading to visit military families and spread the word about our program. “I was so excited to connect with military families in a new way during this landmark roadshow. Giving out books, United Through Reading swag, and making recordings at bases very seldom visited has been such a unique experience,” said Erica Oswalt, United Through Reading program assistant and road tripper.
We met the Koffman family during the road trip, a proud United States Marine Corps family living in Twentynine Palms, California. Jana (10), Lena (7), and Nora (4) are enthusiastic young readers. Their mom, Lindsey, took them to see the Mobile Story Station. “It was amazing. This is the first time we have ever participated with United Through Reading. We didn’t know what it was about or how to record a story. My girls have been so excited,” explained Koffman.
The Koffman girls were thrilled to choose free books, including Tales of the Greek Heroes, Llama Llama Dance Recital Fun, and Mulan. Jana said, “I had fun. I was going to pick a chapter book, but I like Greek Mythology, so I picked Tales of the Greek Heroes. And then I took Nora to pick out an easy reader.”
United Through Reading handed out 2,000 books to countless military families on the road trip. The Koffman family was incredibly grateful. “We have limited books available to use because of where we live. The library is limited, and the closest bookstores are about an hour and a half away,” Koffman said.
The Koffman family has an established reading routine – however, their newly discovered ability to read with their Dad while he is away at training or deployment will grow their love for books! “I do love books. I like to imagine the places I am reading about,” Jana said.
The Road Trip was made possible by Reader’s Digest Foundation, BAE Systems, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Carter’s Charitable Foundation, and the USS Midway Foundation.
Stay tuned for details about our next Mobile Story Station Road Trip!