To ensure young students are prepared for Read Across America Week, police officers from Temple Public Safety and students from the Health Sciences Center joined together with Temple football to donate 3,500 books to Mary McLeod Bethune School.

Temple University Police Officer Leroy Wimberly replaced his blue service cap with a tall, floppy red and white ‘Dr. Seuss hat’ as he gathered other Temple police officers, football players and students from Temple’s Health Sciences Center together before they donated thousands of books to Mary McLeod Bethune School. 
 
“We’re about to do a lot of heavy lifting to get these books inside. But together, the work becomes a lot lighter because of this partnership,” Wimberly told the crowd. “Just like when you were in elementary school, today is about making sure the young students inside are prepared and excited for Read Across America Week.” 
 
Melissa Dankwa, a first-year medical student at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, jumped at the opportunity to give back. 
 
“I think today is about community. It’s important that we give back to the community beyond medicine,” Dankwa said. 
 
She was among a dozen students from Katz, the Kornberg School of Dentistry and the School of Pharmacy—which are all located at the Health Sciences Center—who united with Temple Police and football. Together, they formed a human chain—stretching from the school parking lot to inside the Bethune front door— to carry more than 3,500 books inside.  
 
“Forming that human chain was symbolic, because it represents partnership and togetherness,” said Amro Khair, a third-year student at Kornberg. “We’re all connected when it comes to supporting our North Philadelphia neighbors, especially these children.” 
 
Doreen Nelson, a first-year medical student at Katz, said it was fun to learn outside of the classroom. 
 
“Today teaches us about service, and that’s what being a doctor is, first and foremost, is a servant,” she said. 
 
The books are intended for pre-K through eighth-grade students and were secured through generous donations from BookSmiles and Toys for Tots of Burlington County.  
 
“It feels great to give back to the youth because it’s important to support reading at a young age. Showing up for the community like this can help inspire these students to peruse their dreams,” said Thai Ah-Lei Young, a third-year student at Kornberg. 

Temple football played a critical role in doing much of the heavy lifting to get the books inside. 
 
“Today means a lot. You know, today is our community. We strive to be successful in the community and bring a lot of love into the community,” said Hunter Smith, a Temple running back.  
 
Literacy goes hand-in-hand with public health, said Abiona Berkeley, senior associate ean of health equity and professor at Katz. 
 
“When you look at healthcare and you’re looking for better outcomes, education is the primary factor. So, making sure your population is literate and making sure they’re able to succeed and move forward is key to the benefits associated with healthcare,” she said. 
 
To that end, public health and public safety also intersect, added Wimberly.   

“As Temple police officers, we’re committed to improving safety in the North Philadelphia community every day. But we’re also committed to mentorship, literacy and building trust in this community. That’s what today is about,” Wimberly said. 
 
After the books were brought into the school, Temple students and officers chose books and read directly to several classrooms.  
 
“When young students see Temple students and police officers reading to them, it helps break down barriers,” said Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin. “They begin to see us not just in our roles, but as people who believe in them and are invested in their success. We hope those moments leave a lasting impression and inspire them to see their own potential.”