Summer is an awesome time for parents, teachers and kids to re-energize after a long school year, but staying focused on reading skills during the break is extremely important for students as the need to read proficiently becomes more and more important every year.

In that, the Kissimmee Police Department has kicked off a summer reading program called Books and Badges.

The Kissimmee Police Department has partnered with the Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department to kick off their Books and Badges reading program for the children attending Summer Camp.

Officers collected over 500 donated books from all City employees to provide to the children participating in the program. The book delivery to the summer camps was completed yesterday.

During the next few months, officers will visit the summer camps to encourage and read with the children. At the end of the summer program, the children will receive a certificate of completion and a special treat.

“This is just another example of our officers engaging with the community. Studies have shown an indirect correlation between education attainment and crime rates. The goal of this program is to impart the importance of education and staying in school on the children in our community,” said Chief Jeff O’Dell.

Positively Osceola would like thank Chief O’Dell and the Kissimmee Police Department and Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department for making a Positive Difference in the community.