Officer Kearney is reading to a 5th grade class at William Perry Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia. 

5th grade teacher Melissa Shank said, "My fifth graders get so excited when I tell them an officer is coming to read. They sit on the floor close to the reader and relax while listening to the stories. The best part is the conversation between the students and the reader after the book is finished. They are developing a relationship with someone from the community who has taken a real interest in their lives and it makes them feel special. I think it helps them see that police officers are real people with some of the same interests they have."

At left, Corporal Alden of the Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Department reads to a class at a local Lebanon Elementary School.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the wonderful folks at Townsend Press, headed by John Langan, who has donated 8,000 books in their Bluefield series and Townsend Press library for Book 'Em literacy projects.

These books have been distributed to children in Virginia and North Carolina and will be used to help establish a love for reading.  They are currently being distributed to every 8th grade student at Kate Collins Middle School and every 9th grade student at Waynesboro High School.  Officer Kearney visits each 8th and 9th grade English class approximately every 3 weeks.  He'll talk about the books or some other topic, then hand out one more book to every student. 

Check back as we put this literacy campaign into motion. We'll be posting success stories and information here!

The great folks at Townsend Press (above) donated the following books:

Lost and Found
A Matter of Trust
Secrets in the Shadows
Someone to Love Me
The Bully
The Gun
Until We Meet Again
Blood is Thicker
Brothers in Arms
Summer of Secrets

Waynesboro Police Chief reads to 5th graders at Berkeley Glenn Elementary School in the picture at left. Chief Davis has been in the forefront with Waynesboro Police Officer and BEF co-founder Mark Kearney in providing officers to read to students.

Chief Davis will also be tutoring a high school student to help her increase her skills in Geography enough to pass the SOL.

To date, approximately 15 police officers have taken time during the school day to read to more than 400 classes and counting in Waynesboro, more than XXX classes in Fairfax and more than XXX classes in Lebanon.

At right is Officer Andrea Leavell, a jailor with the Waynesboro Police Department. She is reading to a class of 1st graders at Berkeley Glenn Elementary School.

In addition to Berkeley Glenn, police officers have read to students at Westwood Hills Elementary School and Wenonah Elementary School.

2nd grade teacher Bobbi Shomo (Westwood Hills Elementary School) said, "I really appreciated [Waynesboro Police Officers] coming to our classroom yesterday. Next fall we'll work out a reading plan on a regular basis! My kids were a little antsy....'end of the year'...but they were so excited and loved having your attention to ask you so many questions! They're great kids and you were great with them!"

At left, Brenda Arkward, a Parking Officer with Waynesboro Police Department, reads to Pre-K students.

Cathi Hart, Pre-K Teacher at Westwood Hills Elementary School said, "This program has been a tremendous asset to our Pre-K program here at Westwood. The children love to have the police officers read to them and they feel a very strong connection to each officer who has visited us. I really appreciate what you are doing to promote literacy in our schools!"

For the 2005-2006 school year, the program will be expanded to include William Perry Elementary School. More readings will also be scheduled at each school.