United Through Reading and First Lady Jill Biden collaborated to support military children during National Governors Association Winter Meeting
February 13, 2023
United Through Reading provided 800 reading ready kits for distribution to National Guard families around the country.
WASHINGTON (February 13, 2023) — On Saturday, the First Lady, Second Gentleman, U.S. Governors’ spouses and United Through Reading leadership assembled 800 reading-ready kits, complete with children’s books and other literacy materials for National Guard families around the country, during the National Governors Association Winter Meeting.
The event was held in partnership with Joining Forces, First Lady Jill Biden’s initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. The goal of the reading kits is to help military families stay connected through shared storytime.
“United Through Reading gives children the chance to share their favorite book with the person they love most, and go to sleep knowing that no matter the distance, their service member is thinking of them, loving them and watching over them,” said Dr. Jill Biden.
United Through Reading is the nation’s first nonprofit to provide meaningful opportunities for service members to stay connected to their children by reading aloud to them through recorded storytime. The program offers several impactful benefits for families and children such as easing the stress of time apart, maintaining positive emotional connections, cultivating a love of reading, helping to prepare for reunions and reestablishing family routines.
“In partnership with the First Lady, Second Gentleman, the U.S. Governors’ spouses, and Joining Forces, we’re able to continue our support of National Guard families and maintain their family bonds through the fulfilling experience of reading aloud, connecting military families in beautiful, emotional, and unexpected ways, even when physically separated due to their military service.” said Tim Farrell, CEO, United Through Reading.