Second lady Usha Vance joined The Walt Disney Company and Blue Star Families (BSF) at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida to promote childhood literacy as part of the second lady's 2026 Summer Reading Challenge.The event brought together more than 200 military children and their families for a day full of reading and community.Each child was able to select 10 books to take home and two more to share with friends. Mickey Mouse also made an appearance, and attendees were surprised with one-day Park Hopper tickets to Walt Disney World Resort as a thank-you for their service.
Families also had the opportunity to take home Blue Star Welcome Kits, which are meant to provide comfort for children during military moves. SECOND LADY USHA VANCE SECURES PROVISION TO LIMIT CELLPHONE USE IN DODEA CLASSROOMSSecond Lady Usha Vance reads to military children at MacDill Air Force Base during an event with Disney and Blue Star Families.(The Walt Disney Company/Olga Thompson)"What an honor to meet many of the brave military families who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country," the second lady said in a press release."Navigating parenting on a military base comes with its own unique challenges, so I am thrilled to partner with and support parents as they help their kids learn and grow over the summer.
Our service members and their families empower future generations to lead flourishing lives—a goal I also hope to accomplish through my childhood literacy initiative," she continued.Vance launched the Summer Reading Challenge last year in the hopes of promoting childhood literacy. To participate in the challenge, children are tasked with reading 12 books of their choice between June 1 and Sept.4.
This year, participants are set to receive a personalized certificate, an America 250-themed bookmark, a prize of their choice and a chance to win a trip to D.C.and the White House on Sept.
25, 2026.Military children at MacDill Air Force Base received books and tickets to Dis...