Children at City Heights in Covington were treated to free books, popsicles and a photo booth on Thursday evening by Read Ready Covington.
Covington Police Officer Rachel White, who organized the event, said Ready to Read with Covington PD is a way for the Covington Police to connect with the community, build relationships and provide educational resources to the children.
White said a girl in City Heights inspired her to organize the event.
“It actually started because of a little girl here in City Heights,” White said. “I was handing out coloring books, and she asked me if I had a reading book. I didn’t have one and I felt really bad because she didn’t want to color. So I started carrying around books from that point on. I’ve handed out a lot of books on patrol.”
White said she knows that literacy levels are below average in the City Heights area and understands that many families can’t afford to buy books.
“If there is a way to get these kids off to a great start in life, I want the Covington Police Department to be part of it,” White said. “Being a police officer is more than just patrolling and taking calls, it’s about serving the community. We are the ones who come in contact with the community on a regular basis and can make a difference through our actions.”
Along with White, Holmes Middle School teacher Hannah Edelen helped plan the event and actively volunteered to assist with the program. Edelen handed out popsicles, helped the children choose which books they wanted and took pictures with them.
“What I think is important is just by having books in a home, it increases reading ability and actually can increase their overall vocabulary,” Edelen said.
Other Covington Police officers were on the scene in City Heights taking pictures and reading alongside the children.
“I hope to give away every book we have at this event, and that we get to form relationships with the kids and adults in the neighborhood,” White said.
White plans to have other Ready to Read with Covington PD events in other neighborhoods around the city due to its success.
