Book fair celebrates law enforcement heroes

The Friends of the Yuma County Libraries and the Yuma Reading Council continue the fifth annual American Hero Bookfair today.

The event, which begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, is free and open to the public.

Featured will be law enforcement officials from the U.S. Border Patrol, local police and the military. All children who attend will receive a free book.

Yuma sector Border Patrol Chief Paul Beeson will be among those present to kick off the reading with stories about the desert and police activities.

There will be story hours, patriotic crafts, photos with the heroes and other activities for the children.

"The whole purpose of the event is to promote the importance of literacy. We had started the event prior to (Sept. 11, 2001) but after Sept. 11 ... we wanted kids to understand that literacy is part of democracy and patriotism," said Barbara Sutton, director of the Yuma Reading Council.

Booker Bear, the library mascot, will be on hand throughout the event.

"This is an opportunity for these officers to share with the kids ... Not only do we run around to catch bad guys but they have to write reports, they have to read reports ... What do all these things have in common? Reading," Sutton said.

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.