Police Chief George Sherrill reads Officer Buckle and Gloria to kindergarteners at Holden Christian Academy

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

After Holden Firefighter James Hanna read to students, he showed the kids one of the department's emergency vehicles and let them try on a fireman's coat and hat.

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

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As part of a story, writer and "grandfather extraordinaire" Bud Cleveland gives and HCA student a look at the "monster inside the box."

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

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HOLDEN, Mass. — From Police Chief George Sherrill to local writer Bud Cleveland, celebrity readers have been stopping by Holden Christian Academy throughout February as part of the school's "Time Machine Read-a-thon 2012" — and the young students were thrilled to hear stories brought to life by members of their own community.

"This is the third year we've had a read-a-thon that helps build the tuition assistance program that Holden Christian Academy has," said Maggie Torres, the school librarian.

All of the proceeds go to helping students attend the school, and as part of the read-at-thon, HCA has invited guest readers from the community.

"The kids love it, they look forward to it," said Torres. "We try to have authors come in and actually talk about what it means to put a book together and get it published, so it really builds literacy as well. And the kids really enjoy what they're doing."

This year's readers have included pastors such as Tom Curtis from Holden Chapel, John Barber of First Congregational Church and Jerry Heslinga of 1st Baptist Church, as well as community members like Beverly Dineen, children's librarian at the Gale Free Library, Holden Firefighter Jim Hanna, Police Chief George Sherrill, State Sen. Harriette Chandler, local author Virginia Heslinga, and writer Bud Cleveland.

"To have them come in and read them a story, I think it brings in another layer of how these community workers are actually people just like them, so I think it's nice for the kids to have that experience," said Torres.

While some readers bring stories that tie into their profession, like Sherrill, who has made a tradition of reading his worn copy of Officer Buckle and Gloria to students every year, others bring in stories of their own to share.

Cleveland, for instance, is the grandfather of one of the students, and her class was already well-versed in his exciting tales of adventure, having listened to some of them on CD.

After Hanna read, he took students out to one of the Fire Department's vehicles to show off its sirens, and let the kids try on his fire gear.

Ecstatic at the opportunity, the kids were hopping up and down in excitement as each of them got a turn to be a firefighter for a moment.

"I think that it definitely builds community." said Torres. "I think the best thing the kids can take away is that these stories have a tie with real life."