HONOLULU (KHON2) -- In the world of military families, time apart is a constant reality. Long deployments, time zone differences and the strains of military life can create distance, even within the closest families. However, an innovative program known as United Through Reading is helping to keep the bonds strong through something as simple, yet profound, as reading stories. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You With a 35-year history of serving military families, United Through Reading offers a free service that allows service members to record themselves reading a book for their children and loved ones. The initiative is meant to help build connections even when these families are worlds apart. Melanie Sheridan, the Director of Marketing and Communications for United Through Reading, said the program has become a lifeline for many families. “We’re using story time as a way to keep families connected,” she explained. “Our mission is simple: we want to keep families engaged, especially those with younger children, by offering them a way to stay connected through reading.” United Through Reading stands out from other similar initiatives by not only providing a platform for service members to record and send videos, but also by offering free books to the families. "We provide the video recordings and the books at no cost," Sheridan noted. "It's 100% free, and it’s one of the few programs that focuses on military families while also building literacy. It’s not just about keeping the connection—it's about helping to foster a love of reading." The process is simple: service members, whether active duty, reserve, guard or even veterans, can sign up for the program. After downloading the app and verifying their military credentials, they can record themselves reading a book of their choice. Once recorded, the video is sent to their family, along with a free copy of the book. This interaction creates an emotional connection between parent and child that extends far beyond the brief video clip. As Sheridan explained, "The videos are like living journals, little time capsules that bring parents into their children’s lives even when they can’t physically be there." One of the most powerful aspects of United Through Reading is its ability to create genuine emotional moments for children and parents. Sheridan shared a story of a young girl who, while watching her father read to her on the screen, became confused. "She could see him and hear him, but she couldn’t understand where he was," Sheridan recalled. "She actually got up and went behind the TV to see if she could find him. She was trying to make sense of it." The child’s confusion turned into a moment of recognition when she finally understood that her father, who was deployed, was the one reading to her. “It was such a tender moment for that family,” Sheridan said. “And the parents often tell us that these videos become their child’s way of holding onto them. Even when they can’t talk or FaceTime, the videos create a sense of continuity, of presence, no matter how far apart they may be.” Another poignant story comes from a father who, after being away during the first months of his youngest child’s life, returned to find that his baby daughter did not recognize him. "When he came back, she didn’t know who he was," Sheridan explained. "But over time, as the older child watched the videos, the youngest began to make the connection. One day, she saw him on the screen, looked from the TV to him, and then reached out her arms. That was the moment she knew who he was." For Sheridan, these moments are what make the program so impactful. “Our families tell us that these are not just videos—they’re keepsakes. They are the memories of a parent’s love, preserved forever,” she said. Although the United Through Reading program primarily targets military families, its impact is felt far beyond the boundaries of the United States. The organization has established "story stations" at military bases around the world where service members can access the program, record videos and send them home. These stations are especially valuable in remote locations, like naval ships or overseas bases, where Wi-Fi can be unreliable or time zone differences make live communication difficult. “We have story stations at bases around the world,” said Sheridan. “The goal is to meet the families where they are. We know that military families are often stationed in areas that might not have easy access to the resources they need. That’s why we take our mobile story stations to remote bases and communities that might not otherwise have the support.” United Through Reading has also converted sprinter vans into mobile story stations which are used to visit military families at events, schools and bases. These vans travel across the country, bringing the program’s services directly to military families in underserved areas. In 2023, one of the mobile story stations toured California’s Inland Empire to visit military families in more remote parts of the state. In the future, the organization plans to extend these road trips to other parts of the country and the world, as a means of ensuring that military families in isolated locations can take advantage of the program. One of the most recent additions to the United Through Reading network is a story station in Hawaiʻi. Sheridan shared that a dedicated volunteer, Gabrielle, worked hard to get the station set up on the island of Oʻahu. “It’s a huge step for us to have a story station in Hawaiʻi,” Sheridan said. “A lot of military families are stationed there, and we’re thrilled to be able to support them. Gabrielle and her family were instrumental in bringing that to life.” At the core of United Through Reading’s mission is its commitment to building literacy. Research has shown that having books in the home is one of the most important factors in developing reading habits. “Studies have shown that having just 20 books in the home can significantly impact a child’s literacy development,” Sheridan explained. “And by providing families with free books, we’re not only strengthening the connection between parent and child, but we’re also helping to build children’s home libraries.” For military families, the challenge is often not a lack of resources, but the physical separation that comes with deployment or relocation. United Through Reading addresses both these issues by providing an emotional connection through videos while also giving children the tools they need to foster a love of reading. "Literacy is a foundation for everything in life,” Sheridan said. “It’s a key to success, and we want to make sure every child has access to that foundation, especially those who are facing the unique challenges of military life.” As technology continues to evolve, the ways in which families can stay connected will only improve. However, Sheridan believes there is something timeless about the connection that comes from reading together. "There’s something special about a parent reading a book to their child. Even in the digital age, that human connection through a story is irreplaceable," she said. United Through Reading’s program doesn’t just provide a service. It creates lasting memories and emotional connections that transcend the barriers of time and distance. For military families, the program is a powerful reminder that even when they are apart, they are never truly separated. “Military families give so much,” Sheridan added. “And we’re just honored to be able to offer them a small way to stay connected and to continue building their children’s literacy. If we can help one child fall in love with reading or bring a family closer together, that’s enough for us.” As military families continue to navigate the challenges of deployment and relocation, United Through Reading remains a beacon of hope, connection and love. To find out how your family can participate in this family bonding experience, click here. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Through the power of story time, the program is helping families feel a little less far apart, one book at a time.