Mend Mansfield Coalition launches Safe Summer Friday program

The Mend Mansfield Coalition launched their 1st Safe Summer Friday event yesterday at Johns Park. Members all across the Mansfield & Richland County Community joined in on the fun and included elected officials, county representatives, Mansfield clergy members and representatives from the local media.

The Safe Summer Friday program is geared to engage the entire Mansfield Community and to promote a safe, fun environment that can be enjoyed by all.

There was music, dancing, a tattoo station, free food and drink and even a selfie-station sponsored by NCO Photobooths.

Leading the community in an apparent ‘dance-off’ were Mayor Tim Theaker, Councilman Don Bryant and Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch-Paige.

“I was called out by the community to do the wobble. I told everyone I couldn’t dance but they wouldn’t listen. I had people out here calling out steps, telling me to go one way and the other. I even had a little 6 year old girl tell me to move out the way” Bryant said.

“That’s okay, because it was all good fun and next Friday, I’ll be out there showing everyone how to do the wobble and the Nae Nae.”

Mansfield City Schools Board of Education President, Renda Cline, was one of the many volunteers dressed in a bright yellow and orange vest that night, helping to facilitate the event.

“This is a good thing for the Mansfield community. We wanted to help provide a safe, positive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy” stated Cline.

There was also an original performance by a father and son duo, and a performance by Amari Moore, a young man on a mission to follow his dream.  

Event organizers Brigitte Coles, Angel Ross-Taylor, Dr. Derek Williams, Tim Holt, Robert and Carolyn Chapman announced the Safe Friday Night program at the previous Mend Mansfield Coalition meeting that took place on June 22nd. 

The next Safe Friday Night event takes place Friday, July 17th at Prospect Park and the following week on July 24th at North Lake Park. Each event begins at 6pm and ends at 8:30pm.

For more information on the Safe Friday Night program and/or the Mend Mansfield Coalition, contact Executive Secretary Angel Ross-Taylor at [email protected] or (419) 610-6915. 

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