Shawn Johnson East Introduces Astronaut for Special Children's Story from Space, to Raise Money for Sick Kids

“We can make huge strides for our collective future but also address the problems here on Earth," Anna Menon, who read from her 'Kisses from Space,' has said

An astronaut mom of two on the historic SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission made the most of her trip to the stars this week when, between her research work, she also read a bedtime story — while floating in space! — to help benefit sick children back home.

Anna Menon selected the appropriately named Kisses from Space for a livestreamed video and related fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A previous SpaceX flight, the Inspiration4, pulled in more than $250 million and Menon told PEOPLE earlier this year that they want to add to that through proceeds from her book sales.

“We can make huge strides for our collective future but also address the problems here on Earth today," she said.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Menon unveiled her story for kids down on Earth.

She was introduced by former Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East, who said she was "thrilled to be part of something truly out of this world."

Menon then showed off her zero-gravity skills inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule before beginning her reading for the live audience, which included some patients and families at St. Jude and her husband, Anil, and their children James and Grace.

Afterward, Menon and the other three astronauts on the Polaris Dawn crew answered some questions from the children.

SpaceX plans to announce how much money was raised through its latest mission after the astronauts are back on land at the end of the week.

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