Across the country, approximately 1.7 million children are part of active duty and reserve military families. Nearly 38 percent of them are under the age of 5 — a stage of life filled with rapid growth, emotional development, and critical bonding. For these youngest heroes, life can be anything but predictable.
Military families navigate a world of unique challenges: frequent relocations, extended deployments, and the emotional weight of service in high-stress or combat environments. These stressors impact not just the service members, but their spouses and children too.
To help military families thrive in the face of these challenges, Reach Out and Read launched a powerful initiative over a decade ago, Operation Rx for Success. In collaboration with the Veterans United Foundation, this program delivers more than just books — it provides a lifeline for families seeking stability, connection, and comfort.
“At Veterans United Foundation, we believe deeply in standing beside the families who serve our country with such strength and sacrifice,” said Piper Brintnall, Coordinator at Veterans United Foundation. “Operation Rx for Success reflects the values we hold dear — connection, compassion, and community. We’re honored to support a program that brings comfort and continuity to military children through the simple, powerful act of reading together. It’s a beautiful reminder that even small moments can build lasting resilience.”
At the heart of Operation Rx for Success is a simple yet powerful tool: reading aloud. During pediatric well-child visits at participating clinics, families receive specially selected books — titles like “While You Were Away” by Eileen Spinelli — that speak directly to military experiences, easing anxieties and strengthening emotional bonds. Clinicians discuss with caregivers the benefits of reading every day with young children. And it’s working.
Since 2020, Veterans United Foundation — a philanthropic force powered by the generosity of its employees, 90 percent of whom donate part of their salaries — has contributed $67,500 to Operation Rx for Success, including their most recent $12,500 donation in 2025. These funds have provided nearly 8,000 new books for 11 military clinics to give out to their young patients, including the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kira, a staff member at Tripler, sees the impact every day.
“I think it’s great that our clinic provides books for the children during their well visits. Research shows that reading aloud to your child can help with literacy. But most importantly, reading together encourages and strengthens the relationship between parent and child.”
The benefits go far beyond language skills. Shared reading is a proven way to help children manage stress and build resilience. In the face of uncertainty or separation, the routine of sharing a story provides a powerful sense of safety and stability.
Just ask Aaron, a parent whose son receives care at Tripler.
“I have read to my son regularly since we started receiving books from Reach Out and Read. We are so grateful for this program.”
This partnership is about more than books — it’s about building stronger families and ensuring military children get the nurturing foundation they deserve.
“Veterans United Foundation has been a steadfast partner in our mission,” says Reach Out and Read Interim CEO Erin Henry. “Together, we’re investing in the emotional well-being and development of children who serve alongside their parents in a different, but equally important, way.”
With every book shared, every page turned, and every cuddle on the couch, Operation Rx for Success is helping military families write their own chapters of connection, resilience, and hope.