Officer Kearney is reading to a 5th grade class at William Perry Elementary. 

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, Officer Mark Kearney reads Rescue by Alison Hart to a group of eight mentally challenged adults at The Arc of Augusta in Waynesboro, Virginia.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the wonderful folks at Townsend Press, headed by John Langan, who are continually donating Bluford and other books from the Townsend Press Library for Book 'Em literacy projects.

These books have been distributed to children in Virginia and North Carolina and are being used to help establish a love for reading.  They are currently being distributed to every 8th grade student at Kate Collins Middle School.  Officer Kearney visits each 8th grade English class approximately every 3 weeks.  Officer Kearney has a similar program in place with the 9th graders at Waynesboro High School. The plan is to add on a new grade level every school year.

Within several short years, the Waynesboro Police Department working with the Book 'Em Foundation will have literacy programs in every grade level from Pre-K to 12th grade.

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
The Fallen
Shattered
Search for Safety
Surviving Abuse: Four True Stories

The BEF has partnered with the Waynesboro Police Department in Waynesboro, Virginia to provide police officers and authors to the Public School System to read to students and assist in increasing their literacy skills.

On Friday October 7th, Sunday October 16 and during Book ‘Em on Saturday night, October 22nd, Officer Mark showed an Academy Award Nominated Documentary called “Colors Straight Up” in the Waynesboro High School Auditorium.

The movie is about a highly successful after-school program that keeps inner city kids off the streets by engaging them in music, acting and dancing.

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.

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, William Perry 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.