Once upon a time a young mother and the military wife of a flight surgeon deployed during the Vietnam War, Betty Mohlenbrock, experienced the stress of family separation.  When her husband returned from duty, their two year old daughter did not recognize him.  Betty was also a teacher and reading specialist who saw children enter her classroom unable to read and unprepared to learn.  These experiences came together for her in 1989 with the bold vision that military servicemen and women could stay connected with their children at home by reading storybooks aloud on video. 

At the Storybook Ball, we will honor the vision and dedication of Betty Mohlenbrock, who has worked tirelessly for more than twenty years to see that every child is read to.

We will also be honoring Target for their philanthropic commitment, not only to United Through Reading, but to so many nonprofit organizations working to make better communities. Target is committed to furthering educational opportunities for families throughout the country, with a focus on local schools and early childhood reading. We are so grateful for their generous support of our Military Program.  Target’s support has been a key in helping United Through Reading extend its reach more deeply into every branch of the military. 

And we will honor LT Florence Choe, killed while serving her country in Afghanistan in 2009.  LT Choe experienced the power of the United Through Reading program when she sent stories home to her three-year-old daughter, and then became one of our most dedicated active duty volunteers, opening a United Through Reading program at Camp Mike Spann, so other parents serving in Afghanistan could also share a bedtime story with their children at home.