United Through Reading Supports First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative by Doubling Commitment to Army and National Guard by 2013

About Joining Forces

The First Lady and Dr. Biden have met with military families, learned about their successes and challenges, and made it their priority to support them. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.

Joining Forces:

• Brings attention to the unique needs and strength of America’s military families. 
• Inspires, educates, and sparks action from all sectors of our society – citizens, communities, businesses, non-profits, faith based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government – to ensure veterans and military families have the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned.
• Showcases the skills, experience, and dedication of America’s veterans and military spouses to strengthen our nation’s communities.
• Creates greater connections between the American public and the military.

In this ongoing effort, they’re highlighting issues that are of special importance to the military families they have met with across the country, including the areas of employment, education, and wellness.

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Thanks so much to Amy Dickinson for spotlighting United Through Reading in her “Ask Amy”

“I am entranced by the work of this organization, which manages to unite deployed military parents with their children at home — through DVDs of the parents reading aloud from favorite books, which the child at home can read from, with mom or dad.“   [read complete article]

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, poses for a picture with students from White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, VA., at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2011. Biden hosted a holiday party for the students to raise awareness of military families and the challenges they face. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2011 – Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, invited about 25 elementary school students, a few teachers — and one special guest in Afghanistan — to a military-themed holiday party in their home at the U.S. Naval Observatory here today.

Throughout the party, Biden spotlighted the importance of military family support for the children — a fourth-grade class from nearby White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, Va.

After greeting each of the children — all dressed in their holiday best — at the door, she invited them to join her around the Christmas tree in her living room for a discussion about her own experiences as a military mom.

Biden held up a framed picture of her son, Army Maj. Beau Biden of the Delaware National Guard, with his young son, Hunter, in his arms. The picture, she told the children, was taken the day he returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq. “I know what it’s like to have someone in your family who is deployed,” she said.

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, joins children for a reading of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” by Army Maj. James Blain, who is deployed in Afghanistan, at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2011. Blain’s son, Jimmy, was among the children at the party. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

She then asked Army Col. Rebecca Porter, a clinical psychologist from the Army Surgeon General’s Office, to talk to the children — mostly from nonmilitary families — about the impact deployment has on kids, especially during the holidays, and how students can support military families in their community.

Biden then kicked off her heels and joined the children on the floor in front of the tree to make holiday cards for deployed troops. The card-making event was sponsored by the American Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes program, which collects and distributes holiday cards to service members, veterans and their families around the world.

But the event’s highlight, especially for one of the students, was the holiday book reading in the next room.

Army Maj. James Blain, deployed in Afghanistan since June, appeared on screen to read the book “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” to his 9-year-old son, Jimmy, and his classmates. Blain earlier recorded the book-reading through United Through Reading, an organization that enables deployed service members to video-record themselves reading books to their children. Deployed troops can read from more than 270 recording stations around the globe, according to an organization fact sheet.

Army Maj. James Blain reads the book, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” as a student follows along in the vice president’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2011. Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, hosted a holiday party for children from White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, Va., to raise awareness of the need for military family support. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

Jimmy listened intently. He’s been in touch with his dad, but mostly over the phone. There’s nothing like seeing him face to face, he said after his dad finished the book.

His mom, Tina Blain, who attended the party with all four of her children, agreed. “Having the DVDs has been a huge bonus for us because we can see Daddy whenever we want.”

Approaching the holidays without Dad is tough on the children, she added. “To see him so positive and so up going into the holidays is good for them,” she said.

Biden also noted the importance of programs such as United Through Reading, which recently pledged to double its commitment to Army and National Guard families in the next two years. Since the program began in 1989, more than 1 million beneficiaries have been served, a news release said.

“It means a lot to children and helps them stay connected with their moms or their dads” while they’re deployed, Biden told American Forces Press Service. “I know in my own family, my son read books to our grandchildren and they loved just hearing their dad’s voice.”

Biden noted that Jimmy’s parents were worried that their 2-year-old son, Matthew, would forget what his dad looked like. This program, however, has set their minds at ease, she said, citing Matthew’s reaction when his father appeared on screen at the party. As soon as he saw his father, Matthew, perched on his mom’s lap, called out, “Daddy, Daddy!”

4th graders from White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, VA make cards for deployed service members in the vice president’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2011. Jimmy’s father, Army Maj. James Blain, is deployed in Afghanistan. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

Biden said the party was intended to raise awareness of military families and the need to support them, which also is the aim of the Joining Forces campaign, a military-support initiative First Lady Michelle Obama and Biden started earlier this year. It’s important for people without a loved one in the military to understand the military experience, she noted.

Particularly around the holidays, “it’s important we remember and commit to an act of kindness,” she said, whether it’s taking cookies to a military family, bringing them dinner, or packing care packages. Biden said she and her family recently packed Christmas stockings for deployed service members together.

“We are ending the war in Iraq … but we still have many, many [service members] deployed in Afghanistan,” Biden said. “We have to remember them and be thankful for their service and what they’ve done for us and this country.”

United Through Reading Supports First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative by Doubling Commitment to Army and National Guard by 2013

Sustains Historic Presence With All Deployed Service Members and Their Families

San Diego, CA – December 8, 2011 United Through Reading, the nation’s first nonprofit to promote the read-aloud experience for military families, today pledged to double its commitment to U.S. Army and National Guard families in the next two years as part of its formal support of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative. Thousands of additional families will be served.

The nonprofit organization, created in 1989, allows deployed parents to video-record books to their children, which eases the stress of separation, maintains positive emotional connections and cultivates a love of reading. Since the program began, more than one million beneficiaries have been served.

“United Through Reading can be found at more than 260 recording locations worldwide,” said Sally Ann Zoll, Ed.D., chief executive officer of United Through Reading. “U.S. troops can read to their children from command units on ships, in tents in the desert and at 70 USO centers worldwide. With our efforts to double our commitment to the Army and National Guard, we will serve many more military families.” 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, a national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families on April 12.

“United Through Reading’s efforts to expand its impact into the homes of more Army and National Guard families is another great example of how we can all step up to support military families in our community and we thank them for their work,” said Brad Cooper, Executive Director of Joining Forces.

“For 22 years, United Through Reading has helped strengthen family resiliency by easing the fear, uncertainty and anxiety felt by children in military families,” said Zoll. “We are thrilled to support the Joining Forces initiative and heartily applaud First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden for leading the charge on this vital initiative.”

United Through Reading serves more than 325,000 beneficiaries per year. Research shows that more than 75 percent of users of the program believe it reduced their child’s anxiety about deployment and more than 85 percent have said that it helped the service member stay emotionally connected despite the miles. There have been more than one million beneficiaries of the program since its inception. 

Joining Forces was created by Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden to address the unique challenges and needs military families face and to encourage all Americans to support our troops and their families. For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces.

Related Article:
United Through Reading Supports First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative by Doubling Commitment to Army and National Guard by 2013

United Through Reading celebrated serving those parents who take the time to read a bedtime story no matter where they are in the world at the third annual Storybook Ball on November 12, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.

The gala fundraising event, with title sponsorship by BAE Systems, and chaired by Jan Krystkowiak with Honorary Chair, Laura Numeroff, author of the bestselling series that began with ‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’, was a joyous success.

Approximately 300 friends of United Through Reading gathered to enjoy good food, fine wines, fantastic silent and live auctions, along with moving tributes to our honorees.
We were pleased to honor San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), for creating an essential network for communication and collaboration to advance the wellbeing of our military; Target for a stellar parternship that has, since 2005, provided Target Starter Kits full of the best children’s books, DVDs and mailers to new commands, contributed vital funding for new initiatives and program growth, and has become an active partner in our pursuit of technology solutions that will help ensure we can serve service members wherever they are in the world.

PGA Tour player Rory Sabbatini and his wife, Amy were the recipients of this year’s Angel Award for their commitment to military families and their steadfast generosity and commitment to United Through Reading.

The Board of Trustees and the staff of United Through Reading are grateful for the support of our donors and humbled by the service of our volunteers. Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our 2011 Storybook Ball!

Announcement at 2^nd Annual Capitol Reception

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala, with nine year old Emma Reese. Emma’s Dad has been deployed over half her life so she stays connected by reading along with him on the DVDs he made for her.

United Through Reading and BAE Systems co-hosted the second annual Capitol Reception at the CapitolVisitorCenterin Washington, D.C.on September 21^st, 2011.  Over 150 guests from the House Armed Services Committee, Congressional staff, industry, the nonprofit sector, active duty military, and military families attended.  After an impactful video about United Through Reading set the emotional stage,   Representative Mike Rogers (AL) and Representative Allen West (FL) spoke about the number of service members who are separated from their families and the importance of keeping them connected to their children through programs like United Through Reading.  According to a 2010 Blue Star Families survey, there are 1.9 million children with a parent serving in the military; 220,000 of these children have a parent currently deployed. The demands of extended separation add to the challenges faced by military families.  Representative West spoke personally about the separation that he and his family have experienced over generations of military service.

Doug Stewart, VP Legislative Affairs, BAE Systems, addresses the crowd.

Commander Mark Melson, USN, and his wife, Stephanie, punctuated this sentiment by relaying their recent deployment experience where United Through Reading program managers worked with their command leadership to set up recording locations in El Salvador; Sigonella, Italy; and Djibouti, Africa.  With three young children of their own,   they benefited from having Commander Melson reading storybooks aloud on DVD.  To Stephanie’s delight, her children watched and listened to the DVDs again and again.       

Remarks from Dr. Sally Ann Zoll, chief executive of United Through Reading, translated the intuitive benefits of United Through Reading into statistical evidence from an online survey of more than 400 United Through Reading participants: 

• More than 75 percent of participants said the video recordings reduced their children’s anxiety about deployment
• More than 85 percent said that the recordings helped the deployed service member stay connected
• And more than 67 percent of participants said their children’s interest in reading and books increased after participating in United Through Reading 

United Through Reading staff attends the Capitol Reception.

Zoll commended every organization that makes a difference in keeping military families connected and acknowledged United Through Reading’s strategic partners in the audience.  She highlighted the programmatic partnership with the USO that has been growing strong since 2006.  The USO engaged TARP Worldwide in 2009 and 2010 to query participants and found that United Through Reading’s Military Program is: 

• The number one USO program rated “extremely valuable” by active duty service members and their families; 90 percent of participated rated the experience as “extremely valuable”
• The number one USO program in terms of “satisfaction” with over 81 percent of active duty and families who have used the program being “very satisfied”
• The portion ranking United Through Reading as “extremely valuable” and those who are “very satisfied” has increased each year 

Zoll concluded, “We have served over one million beneficiariesin the past 22 years.  Our largest market share is with Navy & Marine Corps Commands which run over half of our 270 recording locations worldwide.  USO hosts another 30%.  We are thrilled with that success, but we also recognize that we have a tremendous growth opportunity in broadening our exposure and usage in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard.”

Erin Moseley, Senior VP of Government Relations at BAE Systems, acknowledged the growth opportunity for United Through Reading to reach more military families.  She encouraged industry to step up.  BAE Systems has contributed significantly as an industry sponsor.  In addition, BAE Systems spearheaded the first-ever virtual book drive which raised over $50,000 in books. 

Nine-year-old Emma Reese concluded the program.  Her dad has been deployed 44 months in the past seven years. It will be 46 months by the time he gets back from the current deployment. That is a significant amount of time to be away from his family  — over three and a half years.  Emma’s Mom, Alia, said that the Reese family likes to note that this is a story shared by many families and a sacrifice they are proud to endure since many have given more.  From Emma’s viewpoint, she doesn’t feel like her Dad has been gone that much. She thinks the reason she feels like he is part of her every day is because she still gets to read with him whenever she wants.  She simply pops in a DVD.  United Through Reading acknowledges that the program concept is simple, but to profound effect. 

Sally Ann Zoll, CEO, United Through Reading and
Erin Moseley, Senior VP, Government Relations, BAE Systems

Will attend a Capitol Reception for United Through Reading

With Special Guests:

Representative Mike Rogers (AL)
and
Representative Allen West (FL)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Capitol Visitor’s Center
Congressional Meeting Room North

The San Diego-based nonprofit “Reading Legacies” will be assuming operations of the Transitions Program

As a result of recent strategic planning and analysis by its board of trustees, United Through Reading is sharpening its mission and moving forward with plans for the non-profit organization to focus solely on its highly successful military program.

“Concentrating our resources on our military program will allow United Through Reading to fully direct our personnel and funding toward this rewarding program that has been so well received to date,” said Sally Ann Zoll, Ed.D., chief executive officer of United Through Reading. [Read more...]