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Read for the Record: Command chief, Atlantis School children help break world record

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  In an effort to help break a world-reading record and encourage children to read, Chief Master Sgt. John Gillette, 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief, read to first-grade children at Atlantis School Oct. 2. 

The chief, who read "Corduroy" by Don Freeman to 100 first graders, was participating in the Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign. Adults and children around the world, including at military installations, joined together to read the book for the largest shared reading experience ever. 

"Reading to children is a great way to get them started off in life," said Chief Gillette, a father-of-two. "We used to read a book to our children every night before bed - it's a good foundation for the rest of their life and a lot of knowledge can be gained from reading." 

Coordinated through the local United Services Organization, which distributed the books and gave a copy of "Corduroy" to each child, this is the first year military children have been specifically targeted, along with others around the world. 

"The USO was the vehicle to drive the program for the Pearson and Jumpstart Foundations," said MJ Flammer, USO operations manager. "They came to the USO and wanted to specifically include military children from all services ... the goal was to exceed last year's record of children all over the world reading the same book on the same day. 

"The program is great because it shows support to our military families from non-military organizations, Ms. Flammer said. "It was also a great way to strive for community outreach and get McGuire's senior leadership involved." 

The chief added how important getting involved with the community is, especially for Airmen, although, he doesn't believe any encouragement is needed. 

"Our Airmen are very eager to help wherever they can. If this volunteer experience was put out, I have a feeling we would have had an overwhelming response ... that's how great our Airmen are," the chief said. "Our Airmen have a strong sense of community and giving back - I think they would've been fighting over this great opportunity, so it was a real privilege for me to be involved." 

According to the Web site, Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign is designed to bring attention to the importance of early education. By encouraging hundreds of thousands of children and adults to read the same book on the same day, Jumpstart aims to break a world record and to make early education a national priority. 

The Pearson Foundation has a history of corporate giving and supporting projects in communities. The foundation's efforts are focused on education and literacy projects around the world. 

For more information on the Read for the Record campaign or to see the current count of readers, visit www.readfortherecord.org.