ESC soldiers big on reading

Sgt. Daniel Schneider of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), sits down and is quickly surrounded.

Sgt. Justin Silvers, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) public affairs.

Sgt. Daniel Schneider of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) reads to children at Pierce Elementary School as part of the 3rd ESC’s Partners in Education reading program.

There are little fingers of little boys and girls pointed his way. They watch in anticipation, wondering what book will be selected. As Schneider begins to read, all eyes are on him.

Schneider, a transportation management coordinator for the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), read last Friday to children at Pierce Elementary School Fort Knox as part of the 3rd ESC’s Partners in Education reading program.

The reading program, which is supported by volunteers, was organized by Master Sgt. Kenya Berry. Berry, a G3 operations sergeant with the 3rd ESC, established the program to help offer reading support to the children at Pierce Elementary.

“I basically provide (the school) a schedule,” said Berry. “Soldiers go in and they read to the students during the week and they’ll do any other kind of assistance that they require in the classroom.”

Berry’s goal with the reading program is to have more involvement with soldiers in the school.

“I think that if soldiers got an opportunity to go out on a day to day basis and work with the kids in the school it’s something they would enjoy,” Berry said.

In its third week, the reading program has had approximately five volunteers so far.

Schneider, who has volunteered twice, enjoys reading to the children and plans to participate again in the future.

“They love it,” Schneider said. “You kind of made them happy and made their day.”