2010 Storybook Ball

United Through Reading's Storybook Ball was held on November 14, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.

United Through Reading celebrated serving more than one million beneficiaries at the Storybook Ball on November 14th.

The gala fundraising event, chaired by Carol Raiter with Honorary Chair, Jeff Kinney, author of the bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid, was a fantastic success.

We were pleased to be able to honor the USO and the President and CEO of the USO, Sloan Gibson for the power of a partnership that has allowed us to reach thousands more servicemen and women; United Through Reading liaison for the USO at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, Bettie Stone; and title sponsor, Target, whose belief in our work, commitment to military families and unending support has made all the difference.

More than 300 friends of United Through Reading gathered at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine to enjoy good food, fine wines, fantastic silent and live auctions, chaired by volunteers Beth Burroughs and Kathie Zortman, along with moving tributes to our honorees.

Honorary Chair, Jeff Kinney, taking a break from his book tour for his fifth Wimpy Kid book which hit stores on November 9th, kicked off the evening by sharing his commitment to writing books kids love with his own brand of humor, complete with illustrations. He praised the work of United Through Reading and lauded the commitment of friends and funders gathered for the evening.

We were pleased to have Jeff Mader, Vice President, Target Technology and United Through Reading trustee, on hand to honor the work of the volunteers who give legs to our mission in the field, our donors who sustain the mission year in and year out, and staff, trustees and friends. Mader honored military families for their commitment to our nation and their families at home.

President and CEO of the USO, Sloan Gibson, spoke eloquently about the partnership between United Through Reading and the USO and the USO's commitment to supporting the fulfillment of the organization's mission.

A highlight of the evening was the portrayal of the stories of families who have participated in United Through Reading programs. Guests listened with rapt attention, laughter and tears to stories of moms and dads reading bedtime stories to their children from camps in Iraq, USOs in Kuwait, jails and public libraries in San Diego and deployed Navy ships.

Following these stories, the organization honored United Through Reading liaison at USO Joint Base Balad in Iraq, Bettie Stone, who flew to accept the Storybook Ball Angel Award. Dr. Jay Choe, husband of the late LT Florence Choe, the first Angel Award recipient presented Bettie with the award saying "Bettie lives in a place surrounded by barbed wire and machine guns, living in a metal box and eating institutional food in heat of 120 degrees in the summer…. Because this work, serving those who serve, is important."

The board and staff of United Through Reading is grateful for the support of our donors and humbled by the service of our volunteers. Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our 2010 Storybook Ball.