SAN ANTONIO — The holidays are a tough time of the year for military members who are away from their families. One organization is helping them stay connected despite the physical separation.
The program is called United Through Reading, and since 1989 more than three-and-a-half million military members and their families have benefited from being connected around the world through reading. Melanie Sheridan, the Director of Marketing and Communications for United Through Reading told us, "We have an app that allows service members to video record themselves reading a story to anyone in their life. Anyone that they feel is important enough to read to."
Stories by service members and veterans can be recorded at more than 400 United Through Reading recording locations worldwide including one in San Antonio at JBSA- Fort Sam Houston, as well as on their mobile devices with their free and secure reading app. Sheridan added, "We facilitate getting that story back home video and we also send a free copy of the book so that the person that they're reading to can follow along."
United Through Reading says every year, more than 100,000 military parents deploy. That leaves nearly 250,000 children at home. When that separation happens, military children can experience higher levels of emotional difficulties. Sheridan said, "We know that for military kids, you know, they move a lot and that their life, you know, it can open them up to a little bit of instability."
Some of the benefits of United Through Reading, includes easing the stress of time apart. The program maintains positive emotional connections in the family. It helps ensure children feel loved and supported. It also cultivates a love of reading and early childhood literacy, vocabulary and language.
The program is especially important during the holidays. Sheridan said, "We know that it's hard for anybody to be away from their family members and their loved ones at the holidays, but it's especially hard for service members and their families."
United Through Reading says tomorrow's Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to help them with their mission.
