From front left, bottom to top: Melissa Schaefers, Nikki Shedd, Casey Hillard, Patsy Thomas. Stephanie Varne... VIEW ORIGINAL
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--Army Contracting Command Soldiers and civilians participated in the 18th annual Read Across America March 2 as members of the command went to classrooms in a local school to support the national program.
Across the country, volunteers spent time reading to school-aged children as part of the National Education Association's annual program. Locally, ACC and Expeditionary Contracting Command volunteers visited Louis J. Morris Elementary, a school within close proximity to the commands' headquarters that had previously reached out to the command.
Maj. Gen. Ted Harrison, ACC commanding general, took a break from his schedule to read "Green Eggs and Ham" to fourth graders. Keith Jackson, ACC deputy chief of staff, also took time and read to a third-grade class.
Overall, nine civilians and four Soldiers offered a portion of their time throughout the day. They read to children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, reading to almost all of the school's 585 students.
"Read Across America is truly a program to encourage reading amongst our students and having the community and their families involved is important," said Patricia Boyd, Morris Elementary principal. "Tonight we'll have a carnival-style Parent-Teacher Association meeting with popcorn and cake where students can take the Dr. Seuss pledge to read more. After being out of school (due to inclement weather), then coming back, we are ready to swing into action. This program puts fun back into school this week."
The volunteers did not just read to the children but also discussed the importance of reading. Many volunteers try to do this annually, knowing that this enriches their own life as well as the children's lives.
"I enjoy reading to the kids, because I believe reading improves their imagination and their ability to think," said Chris Lindberg, ACC deputy chief of staff for Intelligence and Security G-2.
Lindberg has a tendency to change his voice as he reads -- "to bring the story to life" he says. "It is something that causes them to use their minds to picture what is happening in the story and I feel like a kid again while I am reading to them."
The schools and teachers appreciated the support they received, saying they were looking forward to partnering with ACC in the future.
"Reading is a lifelong skill and we want to install a love of reading to these children," said teacher and library coordinator Sonya Garrett-Wilson. "Having volunteers -- community, church, and groups like yours -- makes such a difference."
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