Cops ’n’ Kids Delaware Valley is a non-profit organization funded by the community, supported by volunteers, and dedicated to expanding children’s access to books. It began as a project of AAUW Makefield Area Branch, but is now a separate corporation.
We collect new and gently used books through book drives; distribute books at community and reading events; and support classroom libraries, community and family service organizations.
Mission Statement:
Cops ‘n’ Kids Delaware Valley seeks to connect kids and community through literacy by collecting children’s books and distributing them to communities and schools in need; working with schools literacy programs; and participating in literacy events where children interact with police, firefighters, and community leaders.
You can visit us at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/copsnkidsdelval/
Mary Auker
PresidentMary is passionate about reading to children and enjoying all kinds of literature with them. She is a retired middle school reading specialist, grandmother of five, and grateful to be working with an amazing team of people at Cops 'n' Kids!
Kathy Shaginaw
Vice PresidentKathy teaches chemistry at a community college and writes chemistry books. Her passion for science education goes beyond her classroom into many projects in the community. Kathy loves to be creative in the kitchen and develop fun craft projects for Cops 'n' Kids.
Kathy Quinn
TreasurerKathy grew up in Bucks County and has always loved to read. Throughout her several careers, including lawyer and college professor, she has never stopped reading for enjoyment and enjoys passing on the love of reading to others.
Eileen Heitman
SecretaryEileen is a retired elementary teacher who continues to believe that literacy is extremely important for all people. She enjoys reading to children and listening to them read to her or each other. She is a grandmother of 3 who loves gardening and reading.
Jutta Saba
Board MemberJutta Saba came to the USA with limited conversational English, and she recognizes the importance of good language skills. She loves reading, and even more, she loves helping children explore the world through reading. Jutta was in metals research at Rutgers University, and more recently in organizing pharmaceutical meetings in America and Europe. Currently, Jutta is a part-time employee at Princeton University and, in addition, she has been volunteering at various community organizations.
Mary Gesualdi
Board MemberMary just retired after 50 years in elementary education in Bristol Borough. She dedicated her career to ensure that children have the resources they need to become passionate, lifelong readers. Her mission is matched to that of Cops 'n' Kids and was honored to be asked to serve on their board.
Karen Kaplinski
Board MemberKaren Kaplinski has worked with children as a special education teacher, school psychologist, and behavior analyst. She is currently a full-time faculty member in the Education Area at Bucks County Community College. As a board-certified behavior analyst she has developed programs for children with autism to help them develop language, cognitive, motor and social skills. An avid reader she is excited to help provide literacy opportunities for students in the county.
Eva Miller
Board MemberEva Miller started her career as a high school mathematics teacher in Paradise Valley, Arizona. After completing her Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania., she works as a biostatistician designing complex and innovative clinical trials and mentoring mid-career biostatisticians. Mary Auker, who started Cops 'n' Kids in Bucks county continues to impress Eva with her enthusiasm about this program and Eva agrees that reading is essential to learning.
Kate Sweeney
Retired Board MemberKate Sweeney was born in Minnesota, as the youngest of four, where she grew up appreciating literacy and children. She studied elementary education before moving to San Francisco, where she studied special education and recreation therapy. While there, she co-founded Project Insight Inc., partnering with the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department. While living in Yardley, she completed her BS in Early Childhood Education. She retired to volunteer with Cops 'n' Kids and continue her passion for literacy and children. In 2021, Kate returned to Minnesota to be near her family.
Connie Gruen
Retired Board MemberAfter completing a Masters Degree in History/Education, Connie taught Science in a private K-8 school, tutored reading and worked as a substitute teacher for grades K-12 before starting a career as a corporate recruiter. In 2003, she and her husband Jerry moved to Bucks County from Brewster, New York to be closer to their kids and grandkids. She joined Cops ‘n’ Kids in 2018, and especially loves every opportunity to “infect” kids with the joys of reading.
Patrice Pladsen
Retired Board MemberPatrice Pladsen is a retired educator and administrator who spent most of her career working students, teachers and parents in elementary schools. Her passion for literacy, coupled with family in law enforcement and the military, made volunteering with Cops ‘n’ Kids a perfect fit!
Shyla Jagannatha
Retired Board MemberShyla Jagannatha was born in India and came to the United States for higher studies, 30 years ago. She has a PhD in Quantitative Genetics and Biostatistics. She lives in Richboro, PA with her husband and teenage twins and, works as a Statistician at Johnson & Johnson. One of her fondest memories is how therapeutic it was to read to her kids before bedtime, when they were young. Because of experiences like this, she is passionate about Cops 'n' Kids' mission and its outreach. In her free time, she loves to hike, cook and to travel the world. She is also a runner and has participated in many runs in the Philadelphia area.