Tag Archives: United Through Reading

United Through Reading Tonight on NBC Nightly News

Posted on March 22, 2010 by | 3 Comments

Be sure to watch NBC Nightly News this evening, as United Through Reading’s Military Program will be featured!  Learn more about how this innovative program keeps military families connected through the gift of books and a shared story.  Be sure to check your local listings for times.

Can’t wait until tonight to hear about United Through Reading?  Check out this great story from USO Kuwait…

A USO volunteer colors in the United Through Reading logo on a T-wall right outside the USO center at Camp Ali Al Salem. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

Sailor’s Hobby Gives Back to USO
by Duane DeVorak, Media Director, Camp Ali Al Salem

Deployed service members dedicate hard work to their job and the branch they serve in; however that does not mean they have to sacrifice their other hobbies and passions.  One sailor uses his skills as a cartoonist to beautify the base and build morale.

The USO at Camp Ali Al Salem (AAS) was trying to promote the already successful United Through Reading program and Keon Moore, one of the Duty Managers at AAS realized one way to do this was to paint one of the T-Walls outside of the center.

“While on a deployment service members look for any opportunity to bring themselves closer to their families.  Whether it’s through morale calls or e-mails there is always a way to reach that love one back home, but another way to connect to the little one in your life is the USO’s UTR program,” said Moore.  “That’s why it’s so important to promote this program.”

USO Volunteers and Duty Manager Keon Moore work on the Dr. Seuss UTR wall into the wee hours of the night to get it done. The wall was painted to help promote the already popular USO program. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Kaopuiki had already painted several walls for Navy Customs here at Camp AAS.  It was no surprise when he was asked to paint one for the USO that he agreed to help out in no time

“I did this for the kids basically,” said Kaopuiki.  “By painting this wall I am able to help promote this program and get service members to read to their children.”

Kaopuiki along with three other USO volunteers completed the wall in about seven hours.  The entire wall was done so quickly thanks to his idea of painting with spray paint.

The theme selected was Dr. Seuss, since the popular character is so well known and people will automatically look to see what the wall is all about.

Since 2006, United Through Reading recordings made by troops at USO centers has steadily increased. In the first year, a little more than 4,200 recordings took place at USO locations. The total number grew to more than 20,000 in 2008 and reached 57,000 in 2009.

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Posted in Families, Programs, Recognition, Support, Troops

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USO Radio

Posted on March 3, 2010 by | 4 Comments

In this edition of USO Radio, Jim Mayer and Michael Naranjo are two wounded veterans from Vietnam. But they share more than that. They share the common bond of not only overcoming their injuries, but also excelling and giving back long after they had left the battlefield.

Their stories and more are featured in this special episode of what we are calling USO Radio, featuring Blues Traveler’s Forever Owed. Hear Mayer’s and Naranjo’s story – and more, including an exclusive look at the United Through Reading program – by clicking on the image above.

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Posted in Troops

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The USO’s Board of Governors Visit Centers in Southwest Asia

Posted on February 27, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Two members of the USO Board of Governors recently toured Kuwait as part of a three-day trip. Dennis Swanson and Sue Timken were accompanied by Sue’s husband William Timken, former US ambassador to Germany, and representatives of other major USO partners, including Sally Ann Zoll, CEO of United Through Reading; Steven Nardizzi, CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project; Mary Louise Austin, CEO of USO Georgia; and Bruce Nitsche of the Wounded Warrior Project.

The overall mission of the trip was to give the board and major stakeholders a chance to see the USO in action.  The tour kicked off with an in-depth look of the Wounded Warrior Unit at Camp Arifjan, where they all got a chance to meet with service members in recovery.  Day two of their journey brought them to Camp Ali Al Salem where USO center director Val Burnham and a few duty managers presented the group with a rundown of the special USO programs, which have started there and are actually implemented at various centers across Kuwait.

After Camp Ali Al Salem it was off to Camp Buehring, where they got a chance to see the difference a few miles make since the two bases are only about 25 miles apart. That night the board members wanted to take some of the USO volunteers out to dinner as a thank you. The last day of the tour the group visited Camp Virginia. At Camp Virginia they got a chance to see the base and what it’s really like for the soldiers there.

We’d like to thank all of these guests for spending time at our centers in Kuwait.  You are welcome back any time!

USO BOG

Dr. Seuss continues to unite family members half way around the world. Sally Zoll CEO of United Through Reading discusses a service member’s book selection while he waits to read to a love one at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Sally was part of a three day USO Board of Governors tour of Kuwait. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

Even after volunteering 30 hours in three days, this USO volunteer still has a smile on his face as he poses with members of the USO Board of Governors, Dennis Swanson and Sue Timken at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

USO Board of Governors member Sue Timken gets a chance to get in on the action when multiple people came up to the USO front desk counter as she checks in service members at USO Camp Buehring. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

USO Board of Governors member Sue Timken (center) gets a chance to feel as confidant as most soldiers do. Timken along with other board members took time to thank service members for all they do while serving in the Persian Gulf. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

Some USO volunteers were so excited to have a nice dinner thanks to the USO Board of Governors who took them to the Seven Seas restaurant in Kuwait City. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

USO volunteers at Camp Ali Al Salem take time to greet USO Board of Governors members and other dignitaries on one of their stops during their tour in Kuwait. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

USO Board of Governors members spend time with troops assigned to the Wounded Warrior Unit at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This was just one of their stops as part of a three day tour of Kuwait. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

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Posted in Centers, Southwest Asia, Support

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Camp Virginia Gets Creative

Posted on February 14, 2010 by | 1 Comment

We love getting dispatches from the field, especially from our USO Centers that support Troops who are far, far from home.  Like Camp Virginia, in Kuwait – this USO Center never fails to amaze with their innovative programs, events, and activities.  We take a moment to share a few of our favorites from this month…

CakeCamp Virginia held a Black History Month/United Through Reading celebration with a beautiful cake and inspiring speech by SFC Areka Brown of the 90th HRC.

SFC Brown spoke movingly about the important contributions of African Americans throughout the history of the United States and the U.S. military.  Afterward, she cut the amazing cake (seen at right with SFC Brown), which was enjoyed by the permanent parties and transient troops in attendance.

Sock PuppetsNothing says fun in the desert like…sock puppets?  But how cool is this: on 8 February, USO at Camp Virginia held their first “Sock Puppets for the Sick” arts and craft event.   And all of the puppets were donated to a children’s hospital!

The USO supplied buttons, felt, ribbon and markers for the over 35 creative puppets.  As Duty Manager Bonnie Bachenheimer wrote us, “Socks ‘n stuff + inventive and caring troops = smiling young patients.”

Finally – and just when you thought they couldn’t top the cake and puppets – USO at Camp Virginia hosted a concert featuring Celtic Aire, a musical group composed of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants.  Members of Celtic Aire are Technical Sgts. Joseph Haughton, Julia Brundage, and Emily Lewis, and Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan, all seen below.

Celtic AireAs Bachenheimer explains, “We were initially somewhat bewildered because we never previously had this type of group entertain at the USO.  However, it took less than one song for Celtic Aire to win over just about everyone inside the Center. The group played Irish folk songs and dance music, American Blue Grass and country, drinking tunes and bar ditties.  Between the jigs and sing-alongs, the jokes and stories, their show seemed much shorter than the 75 minutes they played.”  Awesome!

Thanks to the staff and volunteers at USO Camp Virginia for sharing these amazing stories with us.  And if your loved one has spent any time at the USO Center there, let us know!  We love to hear YOUR stories, too.

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Posted in Centers, Programs, Recognition, Southwest Asia

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United Through Reading Chosen for Super Love Sender Campaign!

Posted on February 6, 2010 by | 1 Comment
You’ve heard about the United Through Reading Military Program: Deployed Troops can read and record a book, then send it back home for their child to read, fostering a sense of connectivity through reading.  Now we’re thrilled to announce that United Through Reading has been chosen as one of the charity recipients for Target’s new Facebook campaign, “Super Love Sender”!

3-month-old Charlotte may not be reading yet, but the Dr. Seuss book from her deployed Dad fosters a strong connection for the family.

Here’s how the campaign works:

Target’s Facebook Page allows users to decide how to allocate a $1M donation to five charities in support of education through its Super Love Sender giving campaign.  Each day Facebook users will have the ability to send up to 10 Super Bowl/Valentine’s Day video cards and vote for the United Through Reading Military Program.
Here’s how you can participate:
·         Visit Target’s Facebook page and click on the Super Love Sender tab at the top every day through Valentine’s Day and vote for the United Through Reading Military Program by sending up to 10 video cards to friends and family
·         Encourage customers, associates, friends and family to do the same
·         Visit http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/Superlovesender/toolbox to download the news release and promotional ads
·         Place Super Love Sender ads and materials on your Facebook page, Intranet, Web page or Twitter feed
·         Become a United Through Reading Facebook and Twitter fan
·         Remember to vote every day until February 14, 2010
We hope you’ll participate in this great opportunity!  Thanks for all of the continue support in our United Through Reading Military Program.

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Posted in Donations, Programs, Recognition, Troops

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Story Time from the Front Lines

Posted on January 19, 2010 by | 3 Comments

Throughout the year, the USO is participating in Disney’s “Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” promotion through the HandsOn Network. To engage volunteers from via virtual volunteerism, we’ve developed “Story Time from the Front Lines, ” an opportunity specifically for individuals living in remote areas of the United States.  It is sponsored by the United Through Reading® Military Program and hosted by the USO.

It’s simple: volunteers collect children’s books to send to service members stationed in Southwest Asia.  Service members read these books to their children while being recorded to a DVD.  Both the book and the DVD are then sent back home, creating a stronger bond between the deployed adult and the special child or children in their lives. In return for their service, volunteers receive a one-day pass to a Disney park of their choice!

The program kicked-off on January 1, 2010 and will run throughout the year, or until Disney gives away one million park passes.  The USO looks forward to this amazing venture and to giving people the opportunity to share in the profound impact it has on our men and women in uniform along with their families.

For more information about the program click here!  And check out some photos of volunteers who are already participating!

CAN’T FIND THIS PROJECT IN YOUR AREA?  ”Story Time from the Front Lines” is a Give A Day. Get A Disney Day project available only to individuals living in remote areas of the United States and Puerto Rico where other Get A Disney Day projects are not available. This is per Disney’s project guidelines. If you go to www.disneyparks.com and enter your zip code in the project search section of the website and “Story Time from the Front Lines” does not display, please consider participating in the other wonderful community service projects in your area.

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Posted in Families, Southwest Asia, Volunteers

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