Airmen mentor next generation with new '54321 Read' program

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Four Sheppard Airmen visited the Child Development Center to read stories to children during the biweekly 54321 Read program tour Aug. 9.

54321 Read is a program that was started in May and allows Team Sheppard volunteers to participate in 'story time' with any of the classes held at the CDC.

Elsie Scruggs, CDC director, said the program started with a parent, Master Sgt. Jennifer Holton, who asked what they could do to help. The two of them worked together to set up the program and start receiving troops who would come read to the children on pre-set dates.

"Reading is important," said Mrs. Scruggs. "I have my teachers hold two 'story times' a day, so this helps fulfill one of those requirements. Also, (having the volunteers read) frees the teachers to assist a child who may need some individual attention."

Senior Airman Katrina Murphy, 82nd Force Support Squadron force management journeyman, said the children are positively impacted by having the volunteers visit.

"I think all of the children get enjoyment by us reading to them because it is always fun to have a new person come socialize and interact, rather than the usual people they see every day," she said. "It also gives them a chance to learn how to interact with new people in a safe and responsible way."

Mrs. Scruggs said the children definitely enjoy the change of faces.

"Seeing someone in uniform, the same clothes as their mom and dad wears, lets them know that it is time to sit quietly and listen," the director said. "The kids also get to see that someone besides just mom and dad can read to them."

In addition to impacting the children, the volunteers also are rewarded for their efforts.

"Being able to read to the kids is a breath of fresh air for me because you are able to let that inner kid out," Airman 1st Class Monica Reed, 82nd FSS student relocations counselor said. "It is a change from working with adults on a normal day."

Airman 1st Class Krystal Morris, 80th Flying Training Wing personnel journeyman, said she has a 10-month-old and it helped encourage her to read to her child more often.

"These types of things are what I call habits," she said. "Habits start when you are young."

Mrs. Scruggs said you can't read to a child too much.

"When you read to a child, they hear the words and learn that things come off the paper; it has meaning," the director said. "Reading (to the children) is a way to get them ready to write. It gets them ready to read. "

Mrs. Scruggs also said the volunteers that come to read to the children help show that teachers are not the only ones who read. Other people also read.

"I love the program and I hope it never stops," she said. "I'm really grateful for (the volunteers) giving up their time. It shows that we are all one big happy family working together.

"If anybody wants to come out and read to the children then please come on down," she said.

The program is certified by the National Association for Education of Young Children.

The 54321 Read volunteers visit the CDC on the 9th and 22nd of each month. Contact the CDC at (940) 676-2038 for more information.