San Diego Summer Reading Initiative

Sure, sure, I grew up in a time when you could “take a look, it’s in a book”, but I have to be honest, I never really got into reading when I was younger. If I had to choose, I think Goosebumps were my favorite, but I honestly am not even sure how I read them since I am a big ol’ scardy cat.

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In high school I never hesitated to reach for the Cliffs Notes for any novel we had to read (oops, hope none of the teachers are reading this). I'm not quite sure the reason, but reading was never really a pastime I enjoyed.

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It wasn’t until the last few years that I actually started enjoying reading (and reading the entire book of the classics that I once skimmed). Now I see how reading can transport you to other worlds, can grow your imagination, and is an integral part of learning and development! {And, yes, just in case you were wondering, my favorite books recently were the Hunger Game series ;) }

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I am stoked to share with you that San Diego is trying to get kids pumped on reading at an early age! YIPPEEEEE! San Diego-area doctor offices and health clinics are set to receive reading stations and children’s books to encourage early reading and healthy living among children. (I don’t know about you, but although I HATED going to the doctors, I did love looking through those Highlights magazines… Those hidden picture puzzles were my JAM – HA, like I said, reading wasn’t really my thang, I was all about the pictures.)

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UnitedHealthcare is donating 40 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) reading stations, nearly 1,000 Oliver & Hope children’s books and 2,000 activity worksheets as part of a San Diego summer reading initiative. The reading stations provide children a colorful place to read or draw, making doctor’s visits more enjoyable.

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Today was the official kick off! The announcement was made at Balboa Naval Medical Center where UnitedHealthcare employees and Naval Medical Center staff joined mascot Dr. Health E. Hound, community leaders, children and families for a reading circle with several children as the first 10 reading stations are installed.

Commanding Officer Capt. Acosta of the Naval Medical Center San Diego is joined by Tom Chohany of UnitedHealthcare and mascot Dr. Health E. Hound as they read to a group of children from the popular Oliver & Hope children's story book at the pediatric intensive care unit.
Photo Source: Sandy Huffaker

Five-hundred additional books will be presented to local pediatricians that participate in San Diego’s Reach Out and Read program. These books will enable participating pediatricians, family physicians and nurses to give every child a book to keep when they come for a well-check visit.

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The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation's mission is to provide medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan. Proceeds from the Oliver & Hope books help fund the UHCCF child medical grant program. Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 grants valued at over $27 million to children and their families across the United States. All three books of the Oliver & Hope series are available through uhccf.org/shop for $16.95 each.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Tenacity Media.