Disney and Usha Vance team up to honor military families and surprise them with magical gifts

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. 

Second 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 Disney World at an event featuring Second Lady Usha Vance. (The Walt Disney Company/Olga Thompson)

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BSF said Disney had donated more than 370,000 books to military children during the company's 15-year partnership with the organization.

"The presence of Second Lady Usha Vance at this event highlights the transformative power of literacy and powerfully underscores the national importance of supporting our military-connected youth," Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and co-founder of Blue Star Families, said in a statement. 

"By fostering stability, well-being, and a love of learning for our families, we directly bolster the retention of our service members and, ultimately, the operational readiness of our force."

Disney's involvement in the event also comes as the company celebrates America's 250th anniversary through its "Disney Celebrates America" initiative. 

As part of that effort, Disney committed $2.5 million to BSF. The company is also bringing the initiative across the country with different events and volunteer opportunities, as well as a special screening of "Toy Story 5" for military families at Camp Pendleton.

Mickey Mouse made a special appearance at an event at MacDill Air Force Base where military children were given books and tickets to Disney World. (The Walt Disney Company/Olga Thompson)

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"For generations, Disney has held a deep respect and admiration for military families and the sacrifices they make every day," Susan Fox, executive vice president and head of government relations for The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "We're honored to bring the magic of storytelling to life, reminding us that through reading, imagination and shared stories, we can help families feel closer, no matter the distance."

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Disney's support for military families is part of its longstanding relationship with American service members. Brothers Walt and Roy Disney both served in World War I, and the company that bears their name has put an emphasis on hiring veterans.

For organizers, the event at MacDill Air Force Base was about more than book distribution. They hope that by providing books to military children, they make it easier for those kids to have the same experiences as their peers, no matter where their parents are stationed.