On July 9th, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims welcomed a new partner to her Reading Posse program.
Danay Ferguson, founder of the Reading Heart, presented Sheriff Mims with approximately 1,000 books that she’s collected from the community.
In 2012, Sheriff Mims started the Reading Posse in an effort to combat illiteracy and prevent crime. Since its inception, deputies have distributed thousands of books to less fortunate children. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is partnered with the Fresno County Public Library, Fresno County Office of Education and Central Unified School District.
Deputies participate in the program by carrying donated children's books in their patrol cars. As they come into contact with children in our communities, they distribute the books free of charge. Correctional Officers also give books to kids they meet at the Fresno County Jail. Sheriff Mims strives to put books into the hands of children, especially those who live in underserved rural communities.
“This particular literacy program is unique; it’s one of a kind. I have not been able to find a similar program anywhere in the United States. My desire is that other law enforcement agencies take up a literacy cause and develop their own literacy programs and put it out into their own communities to improve literacy in addition to the relationships between them and our community,” said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.
Citizens and businesses are encouraged to make cash donations or donate new children's books for the Sheriff's Office to distribute. Suggested reading material is for K-4th grades. Examples can be found at http://readinginaction.org/booklist Donations can be directly to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Learn more about the Sheriff's Reading Posse at https://www.fresnosheriff.org/community/sheriff-s-reading-posse.html.
Reading Heart is a book donation program, which was founded by 8-year-old Danay Ferguson of Fresno. She was inspired to start her own business because she wanted to share with other children her passion of reading and the joy she gets by escaping in a good book.
"I think it is cool to work with the Reading Posse because they have cool cars and want to help get books to kids too,” said Danay Ferguson.
Since February 2015, Reading Heart has received thousands of book donations from all around the world. To learn more about donating, visit www.readingheart.org
To watch the entire press conference, click here https://youtu.be/hKU3iJ7eAeQ