Local Initiatives
Book Push Bonds Troops and Children
Call it a different kind of Christmas story.
These are a few of the children’s books Wabash Valley Power Association directors are sending to American troops abroad. (Photo By: Sabrina Kapp/WVPA)
When Wabash Valley Power Association directors arrived for their Dec. 7 board meeting, they brought children’s books that are likely headed to distant military bases where U.S. troops are stationed this holiday season.
Why children’s books? The directors of Indianapolis-based Wabash Valley donated them to United Through Reading, a California-based nonprofit group.
Since 2006, the program has partnered with the USO on a reading initiative designed to give the children of service personnel stationed abroad a few moments of comfort with the familiar face and voice of mom or dad.
“The USO sends the books to troops serving overseas,” said Sabrina Kapp, manager of communications at Wabash Valley. “After the parent reads the book, it’s retrieved and sent home to their children.”
But before that happens, the magic of modern technology provides a heartwarming twist. The service member is videotaped reading the tiny tales aloud.
Their animated smiles and reassuring voices are captured in the audio and a little bit of happiness is shipped home in every package.
“Our 28 directors brought in 82 books,” Kapp said. “This was their final board meeting of the year, so the directors wanted to include a community service project on their agenda.”
Wabash Valley Power Association Chairman Jon Rettinger displays some of the children’s books the G&T is sending to troops abroad. (Photo By: Sabrina Kapp/WVPA)
In 2010, the USO shipped more than 70,000 books and DVDs to military families. More than 1 million military dependents have benefited from the program since 1989, said Helen Westcott, director of communications for United Through Reading.
“When a deployed parent takes the time to read a story to his or her child at home, the effects are far-reaching and long-lasting,” Westcott said.
That struck a chord with Wabash Valley directors, said board chairman Jon Rettinger.
“Many of our directors are veterans themselves,” Rettinger said. “Receiving a book read aloud by your far-away parent seems like the most magical of gifts.”
Tags: Co-op News, Commitment to Community, Local Initiatives