Growing up, being separated from my dad was a way of life.
He was always deployed and although we looked forward to the gifts and souvenirs that he brought back each time, it still did not take away from the fact that he was gone. The stress of having an absent parent can be overwhelming for children.
Studies have shown that reading aloud to children is an effective way to help children deal with stress.
In recognition of the stress placed on military families by the absence of a parent, in 2006, Reach Out and Read launched its military initiative. Reach Out and Read has partnered with pediatric centers on military bases to provide children with brand new books when they visit the hospital.
Currently, more than 90,000 children of military families participate in Reach Out and Read. This means that 25% of children who get their care from military facilities are impacted by Reach Out and Read in some regard.
This is an amazing accomplishment, but, in true Reach Out and Read form, the organization is striving to do more. It has established reading programs on 47 bases and hopes to expand to 100 bases by 2013.
I have lived on three of the bases
(Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, HI; Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, NC; and Ft. Hood in Kileen, TX) that are served by Reach Out and Read.
The sacrifices made by members of our military and their families are tremendous.
I am proud to be affiliated with an organization that recognizes their sacrifices and seeks to honor their service to our country, by taking care of their families.
Thank You Reach Out and Read, from the bottom of my heart, for your commitment to literacy and to supporting military families is awesome!
Best, Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
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