New Jerusalem Preschool students were treated to a special reading of "The Cat in the Hat" March 6 by Cops 'n' Kids Lehigh Valley President Beverly Bradley.
Bradley's visit to the Lower Saucon Township school was partly a recognition of its contributions to the literacy initiative that forms a core part of Cops 'n' Kids' mission.
The Cops 'n' Kids Reading Room of the Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem "ensures that every child has access—in his or her home—to books and the knowledge, inspiration and hope that such access can provide," according to its website.
In fact, Bradley explained, for some inner city schoolchildren, the books they receive from Cops 'n' Kids are the only reading material they have at home.
New Jerusalem Preschool's book drive for Cops 'n' Kids was spearheaded by teacher Shani Fassbender, who identified hundreds of books that weren't being utilized by students because they were too advanced for their reading level.
Bradley—a former Southern Lehigh teacher—said that nationwide last year, Cops 'n' Kids was the recipient of 524,000 donated books, and she emphasized that those donations are making a real difference in the lives of many underprivileged students.
"I hope that Cops 'n' Kids helps us all to be kinder," she told the preschoolers, who also shared their career aspirations with her.
Among other things, students told her they'd like to be an electrician, a soccer player, a "pet doctor" and a princess when they grow up.
Bradley's special visit concluded with an art activity, the singing of "The Alphabet Song," the chance for each student to select a donated book to take home, and the donation of more books to the Cops 'n' Kids Reading Room.
For information about organizing a book drive to benefit Cops 'n' Kids, refer to the attached flyer, shared by Bradley.
Also attached are a spring 2013 Cops 'n' Kids Reading Room events listing flyer and a flyer about the 7th annual Celebration of Reading, which will be held Saturday, April 20 from 11am to 3pm in Southside Bethlehem.
