Reach Out and Read Launches Virtual Book Drive to Support Children of Military Families

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Give thanks to America’s service men and women this Veterans Day by giving their children books – and a head start.

As part of its military initiative, Reach Out and Read is launching a virtual book drive to benefit the children of families stationed on 44 U.S. military bases. The book drive will run for two weeks, from Veterans Day until Thanksgiving.

In addition to promoting school readiness and early literacy, Reach Out and Read also helps to build routines and strengthen family bonds, which are especially important for military families tested by separation and deployment.

To support the virtual book drive, you can donate a book or sponsor a child in the program.

Several of the books distributed to military children were chosen because they address issues related to separation and deployment. Titles include “While You Are Away,” “The Jet Alphabet Book,” “Home Again,” and “My Big Brother.”

“One important way we can honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans is to support our current service men and women and their families,” said Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Martin Phalen. “By ensuring that children grow up with books and highly-engaged parents, we are helping military families to cope with stressful situations – and succeed in school.”

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based, national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud at regular pediatric checkups. The model includes providing a carefully-selected, new, age-appropriate book for each child to take home from every checkup from 6 months through 5 years.

Related Link: https://www.reachoutandread.org/bookdrive/default.aspx?ref=military