United Through Reading announced Oct. 27 that the nonprofit has been selected to receive the 2015 American Prize of the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program with a monetary gift of $50,000. The San Diego, Calif.-based organization was selected for its significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels and the national awareness of the importance of literacy.
“We are truly honored to have received the American Literacy Prize from the Library of Congress Literacy Awards,” United Through Reading Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sally Ann Zoll said. “United Through Reading — our board, staff, volunteers and donors — work very hard to ensure that every military child can benefit from the read-aloud experience, as we know the impact it can have on early literacy development and growth. We’re proud that this award corroborates our work influencing our military community and alleviating the literacy challenges our society faces.”
United Through Reading creates a unique read-aloud opportunity for military families who may otherwise struggle to continue their tradition of shared story time during the physical separations caused by deployments and other military assignments. Service members are video recorded at nearly 200 locations worldwide reading children’s books. Those videos are sent home, along with a new book, so that military children have access to their service member whenever they need them, despite the distance.
Other 2015 Library of Congress Literacy Award recipients include First Book and Beanstalk.
The Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the U.S. or abroad.
Related: Previewing United Through Reading’s 2nd Annual Tribute to Military Families Gala
