Last week, the new TV spots for Learn United started running on network and cable stations in the area. We filmed four spots in all, two of which featured real kids from Allen County talking about the importance of books and reading in their lives.

We're really proud of the outcome of the spots—proud of the children, too. We wanted the spots to have a documentary look and feel, so we gave them no scripts. We just sat them down in front of a camera and started asking questions. Heather Schoegler and I conducted the interviews and were touched by the depth of compassion and understanding they felt for their peers who may be struggling a bit in school.

I first met the kids we used in the spot when I read to their class as a "Real Men Read" volunteer. All the kids in my class were really bright, too. Between reading them and working with the kids in these commercials, I was reminded how much they comprehend and observe. And they're really, really funny, too.

Here are the two TV spots that feature the kids. 

Learn United 2: Learn United Kids (Chloe) from drew kora on Vimeo.

Untitled from drew kora on Vimeo.

Visit LearnUnited.org for more information.