JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Volunteers with the Mayor's Book Club of Hampton, Virginia read to children at the Langley Air Force Base main Child Development Center, Feb. 23, 2016.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Kernan, an aerospace operational physiology technician with the 633rd Aerospace Medical Squadron, is one of 60 volunteers with the program that encourages an environment that values literacy, improves social and emotional development of the children and promotes healthy reading habits.
"[This program] teaches our young generation how important reading is," said Kernan, who also coordinates readers to volunteer through the Langley 56 private organization. "Not only that, but the program allows us, as military personnel, to interact with the children, and teach them what the military is about."
Kernan read, "How to Surprise a Dad," a book that was donated to all of the children to inspire them to start their own libraries.
Kernan said the book club is only possible through donations from local donors and volunteers.
"Improving childhood literacy is essential for our community's future," said Catherine Barber, Langley CDC chief director. "Our youth deserve every opportunity to enhance their reading capabilities and the Mayor's Book Club understands that. Each reading session allows the children to become more excited about learning, which broadens their minds to enjoyment of reading."
The book club meets every month from October to May and reaches more than 4,000 preschool and first-grade students throughout Hampton and Newport News.
"When you put a book in a child's hand, they'll learn to appreciate it," said Barber. "Books offer discovery and learning."
For more information visit the Mayor's Book Club website at www.hamptonmayorsbookclub.org. To volunteer to read, contact Barber at (757)-574-3585.