On Saturday athletes will take to the streets of Covington in the 26th Annual Fuzz Run and then the Learning Center will take over the Covington square with the sixth annual Literacy Festival. Both events are not only a whole lot of fun for the family, but also benefit two very important local efforts.

The Fuzz Run Fun run begins at 8 a.m. from the Covington Police Department on Conyers Street and the 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m. Prizes are given to the first, second and third place male and female runners in both runs.

The entry fees benefits the CPD's "Police Who Care" fund, which assists the families of injured officers as well as is distributed to various non-profit organizations operating in the area.

After the Fuzz Run, the Literacy Center and Main Street Covington will sponsor the annual Literacy Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Covington square. Activities include various arts and crafts, games, book walk, musical performers and a sidewalk chalk art contest. Students are invited to wear costumes depicting their favorite literary character.

While this event shows children that reading is fun and equips parents with tools to ensure their children's reading success, it may also prove an essential one as the Newton County Health Department is offering seasonal flu shots for a cost of $20 per person.

This weekend offers plenty of inexpensive, healthy and educational activities for this community's residents. These activities make us proud that The Covington News is a part of this community.