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HomeNewsCity of Clarksville kicks off Read20 Book Patrol

City of Clarksville kicks off Read20 Book Patrol

City of Clarksville

City of Clarksville - Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN – First Lady of Tennessee Crissy Haslam alongside Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, Chief of Police Al Ansley, and members of the City of Clarksville Police Department, partnered Monday to kick off a reading initiative program at the Kleeman Community Center and the Burt-Cobb Community Center.

Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam describes one of the books given away at the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Kleeman Community Center July 9th, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol encourages children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.
Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam describes one of the books given away at the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Kleeman Community Center July 9th, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol encourages children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.

“I am so excited to help launch this program in the City of Clarksville and to watch it grow,” Mayor Kim McMillan said. “Reading is such a crucial skill in all aspects of life. I think it’s very important to foster a love of reading in our youth.”

Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.

Members of the Clarksville Police Department and the Kiwanis Club help children pick out a free book at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.
Members of the Clarksville Police Department and the Kiwanis Club help children pick out a free book at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.

“The Police Department wholeheartedly supports the Read20 program,” Ansley said. “The positive interaction between law enforcement and the community, especially at an early age, is paramount to building relationships. The Read20 is another avenue the Police Department can achieve that goal as well as promoting literacy at a young age. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of the program.”

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan listens as children describe the books they received at the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.
Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan listens as children describe the books they received at the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.

The program launched in 2014 after Haslam expressed a desire to get more books into the hands of children who may not have access to books in their home. Haslam’s program donated the first 500 books to the community. The Kiwanis Club is sponsoring all additional books distributed to the community.

“We’re fortunate to have supportive organizations like the Kiwanis who have stepped up to ensure Read20 continues to be viable in the future,” Ansley said.

A young boy begins reading his new book during the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.
A young boy begins reading his new book during the kick-off event for Read20 Book Patrol at the Burt-Cobb Community Center July 9, 2018. Read20 Book Patrol is a program that is encouraging young children to read at least 20 minutes a day, while partnering with law enforcement to build positive relationships with officers in Tennessee communities.

Ideally, any time an officer is on patrol in the City, or at a community event, a child can approach them and receive a new book to read because officers will keep books on hand in their squad cars.

Research shows that reading with children during early years positively impacts the child, the family, their education and the community as a whole. Read20 Book Patrol focuses in low-income areas to reduce crime and empower young students. The program has partnered with law enforcement in the state’s largest metro areas, as well as several rural communities.

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