Operation Storytime helps bridge the distance

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tania Reid
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. --   A new program connecting deployed servicemembers with their families at home kicked off at the MacDill Base Library Oct.21. 

Operation Storytime created by the members of the Airman and Family Readiness Center allows servicemembers to record themselves reading a story or giving a message to their loved ones before they deploy. The Airman and Family Readiness Center staff began the program modeling it after a successful United Service Organization program. 

"We derived the program from the USO's, 'United through Reading' program which helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children's books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home," said Tech. Sgt. Kristine Keyser, 6th Air Mobility Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness non-commissioned officer. 

To participate in the program servicemember contact the AFRC with the request to have the recording done and they coordinate the times for the event with library's staff. 

"The librarians have been very helpful," said Sergeant Keyser. "They have donated numerous books to the program for the deploying servicemembers. These books are read at the sitting [at the recording]." 

Every single member deploying is eligible to participate in the program. 

"Operation Storytime is for every single member," she added." It gives the parents a chance to connect with their children while they're thousands of miles away. It's great for the children to see their mother or father speaking to them before bedtime and gives some peace of mind to both." 

The parent records the story and message telling their loved one what they wanted them to hear while they were away. 

"After the segment is recorded a copy of the DVD is sent to the loved ones a week after the parent deploys and then a copy is sent to the servicemember as a part of their care package," said Sergeant Keyser. 

Operation Storytime is held Tuesdays between 8 and 10 a.m. For further information contact Sergeant Keyser at (813) 828-0122 or Master Sgt. Kim Sisco at (813) 828-1854.