The Cops n Kids concept was founded in Racine, Wisconsin by Julia Burney - Witherspoon, a police person. The project started with providing books to police officers to distribute from their cars to promote reading for children. Quota continues to distribute books to the police officers in Waterloo to carry in their trunks. Children will flag down the cars and ask for books.
In addition, the committee purchases books each year which are stamped with the Quota name and then distributed to the elementary schools and preschools in Waterloo. Police officers often attend the book giveaways and talk to the students about the importance of reading and answering any other questions that are asked. This is a positive experience for the police officers and the students. Books are also shared with other organizations including Love, Inc., Hawkeye Learning Center, community food pantries and at community events --such as Waterloo Days and the Fall Hawkeye Scarecrow festival. Books are also shared at the summer lunch program in Waterloo parks.
In order for the Cops N Kids program to be successful, Quota needs the help and support of the entire community. There are several ways YOU can make a difference in a child's life by donating new books, donating money to support the program, volunteer to read to children in the schools and encourage reading at home.
Since the program started here in 2004, Quota has given 100,000 books to children.
