Books were donated to the Waynesboro High School in appreciation for all the volunteers they provided before, during, and after the event, as well as for the use of their facilities. Shown above with Officer Mark Kearney are Dr. Virginia Wallace, the Waynesboro High School Librarian, and Mitch Peeling, the Principal of the Waynesboro High School.

Books were donated to area libraries through the Friends of the Library. Shown above with Officer Kearney is Thurston Robinson, the President of the Staunton Friends of the Library.

Shown above is Iris Carter, Director of the Pathways Program (left, beside Officer Kearney) and Carol Blair, Director of the Office on Youth.

Everyone was very appreciative of the books, which will be used to promote literacy. Shown above is Zahir Mahmoud, the Director of the Waynesboro Public Library.

The total value of the books donated were $2,336. They were given to the Office on Youth, Staunton Public Library, Augusta County Public Library, Waynesboro High School Library, and Waynesboro Public Library.

And then checks were given to five organizations. Above, Ruth Short from the Shenandoah Valley Reading Council tells the audience how the donation will be used to promote literacy among the very young, to get them started on the right track. Each check was for $750.00.

Checks were given to the Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers, Friends of the Library of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro (three separate organizations), and the Shenandoah Valley Reading Council. Shown above with Officer Kearney: Cathy Simmons, President of the Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers. 

 

All of the money raised at Book 'Em goes toward increasing literacy, decreasing crime, solving crimes, and raising public awareness of the link that exists between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.

Shown above is Fred Schultz, the President of the Waynesboro Friends of the Library.

Author J.B. Yount, shown above with Officer Kearney, had the highest grossing book at Book 'Em: Remembered for Love: Lao Russell of Swannanoa, which grossed $1,050.

Number 2 was Charles Culbertson's Staunton, VA: A Treasury of Historic Tales, grossing $719;

Number 3 was Marcia Silvermetz's Gertrude the Albino Frog and her Friend Rupert the Turtle, grossing $539;

Number 4 was the husband and wife team of Joseph Anthony and Cris Arbo's Dandelion Seed, grossing $358;

And the Number 5 top-grossing title at Book 'Em 2004 was Chris Graham's Stop the Presses, grossing $342.

 

The top five best-selling authors at Book 'Em were:

The husband and wife team of Joseph Anthony and Cris Arbo, who sold 101 books;

Number 2 was two-time Bram Stoker award-winning author Elizabeth Massie (shown above, standing) with 53 books sold;

Number 3 was keynote speaker Diane Fanning, with 39 books sold;

Number 4 was J.B. Yount, with 35 books sold;

And Number 5 was Alison Hart, with 34 books sold.

Some of the organizers were honored: (from left) author and Book 'Em co-founder p.m.terrell, Chief of Police Doug Davis, Director of Tourism Lianne Crookshanks, and Book 'Em Foundation Director Laura Maine.

But the heart and soul of Book 'Em is Officer Mark Kearney, shown above. Also known as Book 'Em Mark, Officer Book 'Em, and the Book 'Em Cop! He is shown here with a poster advertising The First Annual Book 'Em Event, signed by all of the authors attending the event.

The Mayor of Waynesboro, Thomas W. Reynolds, had a few words to say about the community effort that made Book 'Em possible. He recognized the Waynesboro Police Department, Waynesboro High School, employees throughout the City Government, Friends of the Library of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro, the Shenandoah Valley Reading Council, and Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers.

Then Officer Kearney, acting on behalf of The Book 'Em Foundation, and City Manager Douglas Walker signed an historic 20-year agreement, ensuring that Waynesboro, Virginia will be the host for the Annual Book 'Em Event every year through 2025!

Shown above: Book 'Em co-founders p.m.terrell and Officer Mark Kearney, and City Manager Douglas Walker.