MANSFIELD — Leaders from numerous local civic groups came together for a Spread the Light kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 19 at Graham Auto Mall, 1515 W. Fourth St. in Mansfield.
We ACT (co – founders Angel Singleton, Tim Holt and Brigitte Coles), Community Activist Doc Stumbo, and the Mansfield City School District Peace on My Block Initiative came together for this year’s event honoring safety forces and promoting peace in the Mansfield community.
The event featured music, speakers, refreshments, and free blue light bulbs provided the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, and Graham Auto Mall.
The Master of Ceremonies was Aurelio Diaz, Mansfield City Fifth Ward Councilman. The National Anthem was performed by Breckelle Miller, International Talent of the Year winner 2022-2023, while the guest speaker was Mansfield City Schools Superintendent, Stan Jefferson.
The celebration concluded with students from Mansfield Senior High School leading the audience in the “Peace on My Block” pledge, promoting peace throughout the city and the school district.
“Spread the Light 2024” is a blue light week to promote pride in our local safety forces, partnership in all communities of Richland County and peace in our neighborhoods.
Please help “Spread the Light” and promote “Peace on My Block” by putting a blue light bulb on your porch or business during the week of Aug. 18 to 24, 2024, as students go back to school.
Richland County “Spread the Light” began in 2016 and is a localized approach to Project Blue Light which originated in 1988 in Philadelphia when a relative of a fallen police officer placed a memorial blue light in a window along with other seasonal decorations.
Its intent was to show others that they are not alone in their loss and to remember the officer who died. The concept has caught on nationwide.