TAMPA, Fla. (Diya TV) — Second Lady Usha Vance visited MacDill Air Force Base on Tuesday to promote summer reading among military children and launch a nationwide literacy challenge tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
The event brought together military families, community organizations, and supporters of childhood literacy. More than 200 children attended the gathering, which featured storytime activities, free books, and appearances by Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse.
Vance joined representatives from Blue Star Families and The Walt Disney Company to encourage children to stay engaged with reading during the summer months. The initiative aims to improve literacy while recognizing the experiences of military families across the country.
During the event, Vance officially launched the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. The program encourages students in kindergarten through eighth grade to read 12 books before Sept. 4.
Children who complete the challenge can receive a personalized certificate, an America 250-themed bookmark, and an additional prize. Participants also have the chance to enter a drawing for a visit to the White House.
“We love the summer, we love reading, we love all of these crafts that are back there, and we love spending time with other kids, especially military kids like all of you,” Vance told the children and families gathered at the base.
The summer reading challenge forms part of a larger effort to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026. Organizers hope the program will encourage learning, strengthen literacy skills, and inspire children to explore new ideas through books.
The event highlighted the unique challenges military families often face. Frequent moves, deployments, and changing schools can make it difficult for children to maintain friendships and adjust to new communities.
Ashley Gibson, a Marine Corps spouse and mother, said programs like Blue Star Families help military children build connections wherever they live. We were excited to come just to get a story read to us and have quality time with our friends, our community around us,” Gibson said. “And then finding out the second lady was coming, we were super excited, and even excited to see Mickey.”
Gibson described the constant transitions military families experience.
“For the last 10 years, we moved every 18 months,” she said. “We went to Japan, to California, to North Carolina. It is tough. It is hard. But military children are so resilient. They put on a smile and say, ‘Okay, let’s go. Let’s start this new adventure.’”
She added that visits from national leaders help military families feel recognized and supported.
“It was an honor to come today and support Blue Star Families,” Gibson said. “The second lady coming was just even better. Her showing support to military families and military children is so amazing.”
Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization that serves military households, played a key role in organizing the event. The group provides resources, programs, and events that help military families connect with local communities during assignments around the world. Gibson said her children have benefited from the organization’s programs and community events at MacDill Air Force Base.
“My children have met their friends through events like Blue Star Families and MacDill community events, so it’s been great,” she said. The nonprofit also distributed books to children during the gathering, helping many participants get a head start on the summer reading challenge.
The Walt Disney Company partnered with Blue Star Families for the event and provided books and entertainment for attendees. Walt Disney World also gave each child a ticket to its theme parks.
The partnership reflects Disney’s broader commitment to military families. The company previously announced a $2.5 million donation to support military households through community programs, special events, and family-focused activities nationwide. Organizers said the collaboration aims to create meaningful experiences for military families while promoting education and literacy.
As America prepares for its 250th anniversary celebration, leaders hope initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge will encourage children to develop lifelong reading habits while strengthening connections within military communities.
