United Through Reading Continues Mission to Connect Deployed Military Members with Families at Home
September 12, 2012
Washington D.C. – Sept. 12, 2012 — United Through Reading, the nation’s first nonprofit to promote the read-aloud experience for military families, highlighting the importance of its military program serving our men and women in uniform who are deployed abroad and their families at home during its Third Annual Capitol Reception today at the Rayburn House Office Building.
The nonprofit organization, which was created in 1989, offers deployed parents the opportunity to be video-recorded reading storybooks to their children, which eases the stress of separation, maintains positive emotional connections and cultivates a love of reading.
United Through Reading can be found at nearly 200 recording locations worldwide. U.S. troops can read to their children from over fifty U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships at sea, in fifteen countries around the world, and thirty-one states and the District of Columbia. Over 1.3 million service members, spouses, and children have benefited.
A survey conducted by United Through Reading has shown:
- More than 75 percent of participants said recordings reduced their children’s anxiety about deployment
- More than 85 percent of participants said that the recordings helped the deployed service member stay connected
- More than 67 percent of participants said their children’s interest in reading and books increased after participating in United Through Reading
“We know that United Through Reading continues to help families stay resilient and connected, and that our Military Programs helps reduce their anxiety during deployments. We know that there is a spike in children’s interest in reading. We need to continue to reach out to even more military families across our military service branches.” Sally Ann Zoll, Ed.D., CEO, United Through Reading
This year’s event was hosted by the organization and by its corporate partner BAE Systems, Inc. Congressmen Mike Rogers, R-Ala. Allen West, R-Fla., and Chris Gibson, R-N.Y., spoke as special guests.
“As a company, BAE Systems supports United Through Reading because of the tremendous service they provide for our military and military families. Separation is very difficult for families, especially younger children. UTR started with a simple concept of videotaping service members reading out loud to their children.
This concept has grown and flourished during the 23-year history of UTR. What a unique and impactful way to support our military families,” said Erin Moseley, senior vice president for government relations for BAE Systems. “Our partnership with United Through Reading is one of the many ways we provide community support that positively impacts our military, veterans, wounded warriors and their families.”
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