The Rotary Club of Dallas once again showed its commitment to the community by sponsoring the 2nd Scholastic Book Fair, led by Safer Dallas.
This provided an opportunity for Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and a large team of police to deliver books to over 400 students and teachers at John Neely Bryan Elementary School located in one of the high crime areas of Dallas.
Rotarians and police officers kicked it off with greeting all the kids with smiles, fist bumps and enthusiasm as they arrived. They were so excited to see that there would be another Book Fair. Then, Rotarians and uniformed officers teamed up to interactively read a book in each class in their first language and then gifted every child with a wrapped book to open.
Chief Garcia took advantage of the event to encourage and embolden all the fifth graders as they move on to middle school. “We want you to succeed. We know how important you are. You are the future of this city! Continue to be a role model! Enjoy the books!!”
This type of event is in support of Dallas Police Department’s Violent Crime Plan to build trust in the communities where violent crime has driven-away the hope kids should see for a better future. “The first time these kids see us and the opportunity they have to meet us cannot be in a moment of crisis,” Chief Garcia has stated. “Our hope is that our men and women are looked at more than just the uniform they wear.”
As the Book Fair continued over the rest of the week, every student, with the guidance of officers and Rotarians, had the opportunity to pick three books to keep from a few thousand books in either English or Spanish. Once the fair was over the books left over were donated to the school, supporting the library, teachers, and classrooms. Together with the wrapped books distributed on the first day, 1562 books were provided by Rotary.
It was an astounding event:
• empowering children through literacy while
• promoting peace and trust in the community through
• connecting with the police department in a fun and positive interaction.
Rotarians and police officers kicked it off with greeting all the kids with smiles, fist bumps and enthusiasm as they arrived. They were so excited to see that there would be another Book Fair. Then, Rotarians and uniformed officers teamed up to interactively read a book in each class in their first language and then gifted every child with a wrapped book to open.
Chief Garcia took advantage of the event to encourage and embolden all the fifth graders as they move on to middle school. “We want you to succeed. We know how important you are. You are the future of this city! Continue to be a role model! Enjoy the books!!”
This type of event is in support of Dallas Police Department’s Violent Crime Plan to build trust in the communities where violent crime has driven-away the hope kids should see for a better future. “The first time these kids see us and the opportunity they have to meet us cannot be in a moment of crisis,” Chief Garcia has stated. “Our hope is that our men and women are looked at more than just the uniform they wear.”
As the Book Fair continued over the rest of the week, every student, with the guidance of officers and Rotarians, had the opportunity to pick three books to keep from a few thousand books in either English or Spanish. Once the fair was over the books left over were donated to the school, supporting the library, teachers, and classrooms. Together with the wrapped books distributed on the first day, 1562 books were provided by Rotary.
It was an astounding event:
• empowering children through literacy while
• promoting peace and trust in the community through
• connecting with the police department in a fun and positive interaction.