The Coalition Celebrates Police Week with Officer Friendly
(Pinellas County, FL)
-05/16/2017 - In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of organizations from all over the country, dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Locally, the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is honoring our men and women in blue with Pinellas County's smallest citizens. Throughout the week, preschool representatives from our Officer Friendly's Book Club--a Coalition led reading program that pairs local law enforcement officers and early learning centers together to promote literacy and positive police relationships--will visit local law enforcement agencies with cards and gifts.
"Our partners in law enforcement not only help to keep us safe, but they are empowering our youth. This week we recognize the hard work and dedication of our Officer Friendly's and acknowledge their contributions to early learning," states Lindsay Carson, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition.
Local preschool children will be at both the Largo and St. Petersburg police precincts this week:
Thursday, May 18th
Highland Recreation Center
Largo Police Department
9:30 am
Friday, May 19th
Mt. Zion Children's Center
St. Petersburg Police Department
10:00 am
"Officer Friendly's Book Club is working," says Linda Johnson , Literacy Specialist at the Coalition, "preschool children are getting to know police officers and deputies in a positive environment. This is what Officer Friendly's Book Club is all about!"
Officer Friendly's Book Club was founded by the Early Learning Coalition in 2015, and has grown to include six law enforcement agencies and 67 centers throughout Pinellas County. To learn more about Officer Friendly's Book Club, visit www.elcpinellas.net/officer-friendlys-book-club
To learn more about National Police Week, events, and ways you can honor local law enforcement, please visit www.nleomf.org/programs/policeweek/
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Please contact Mary Burns, Communications Manager, to be involved in our Police Week activities
mburns@elcpinellas.net | 727-400-4442
Sponsorship by Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County., Florida's Office of Early Learning, 64% Federal Funds
