Last week, United Through Reading (UTR) kicked off an amazing series of employee engagement activities and community events celebrating the Month of the Military Child. For Angel Pavey, our Texas and North Carolina Area Manager, the trip was especially meaningful. Returning to Fort Hood brought back memories of family, friendship, and service, while also reinforcing the powerful impact of our mission. Angel shares more about her experience below.
This past week has been another reinforcement to our WHY. Why is United Through Reading important and relevant?
Our United Through Reading road trip kicked off at the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) headquarters in San Antonio, where we spent two full days alongside incredible volunteers recording stories for our story bank. There’s something special about watching people show up with intention to serve military families in such a personal way.
By Thursday, we were still with the USAA team, this time assembling over 3,000 Storytime Kits that are now making their way to families across Texas.
Assembling the kits with the USAA team
Friday brought us to Fort Hood for a Month of the Military Child celebration, where we distributed 1,000 of those kits. While many went directly to families that night, the rest will continue reaching families through Fort Hood Child Development Centers and housing offices, ensuring connection and comfort long after the event ends.
Fort Hood holds a piece of my heart. It was our second duty station and then our fourth. My son Wyatt was born there. It’s where I built lifelong friendships through Girl Scouts, Family Readiness Groups, and volunteering long before I ever joined the UTR team. Coming back felt like coming home.
I got to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and even had a sweet full circle moment meeting another Angelita with a daughter named Lana.
But the moment that stayed with me most was a mom who came to record for her child, knowing she was preparing to be away for several months. Before she even began, she was already emotional. I sat with her, gave her a hug for as long as she needed, and reminded her she could take her time.
That’s it. That’s why we exist and continue.
Yes, we support families preparing for separation, but we’re also here for the ones who don’t even realize how much they need this connection until they’re in it.
Angel Pavey, Angelita, and her daughter, Lana
Yesterday, we wrapped up this leg of the trip at the United Service Organizations’ Purple Up event on Joint Base San Antonio, helping even more families create meaningful recordings filled with laughter, love, and connection.
We are so incredibly thankful for the USAA volunteers who all joined us this week in reading stories, building kits, and being in the field seeing the impact first hand!
And now, we’re on the road again, taking a few days to make our way to Charlotte for the next chapter.
Grateful. Inspired. And already looking forward to the next time I get back to Fort Hood.
Bio: Angel Pavey is the North Carolina and Central Texas Area Manager for United Through Reading, where she works closely with military commands, support groups, and families to create meaningful read-aloud experiences and coordinate recording opportunities across her region.
As an Army spouse and mom of four, Angel understands firsthand the importance of staying connected through every stage of military life. Outside of work, she is actively involved in her community through Girl Scouts, Operation Phantom Support at Fort Hood, and her spouse’s Soldier & Family Readiness Group. An avid reader, Angel especially loves fairytales, fantasy, graphic novels, anime, and fiction.