News Summary
Mayor Bill Danielson of Irmo, South Carolina, has unveiled a new initiative called ‘Storytime in the Park’ to promote literacy among local children. The inaugural event, held at Moore Park, attracted around six children, featuring interactive storytelling, coloring activities, and giveaways. Inspired by a similar program from a neighboring mayor, this initiative aims to connect children with local leaders while encouraging reading. The series will continue monthly in various parks, fostering community involvement and a love for reading.
Irmo, South Carolina – Mayor Bill Danielson launched a new community initiative, “Storytime in the Park,” with its inaugural event held on June 19, 2025, at Moore Park. The event saw attendance from approximately six children, marking a positive start to the series aimed at fostering a love of reading among local youth.
During the first session, Mayor Danielson actively engaged the children by asking questions and facilitating interaction as he read selected stories. The event also featured coloring activities and giveaways from the local library, aimed at enhancing the children’s experience and promoting literacy. One parent noted that her children found the event enjoyable and expressed a willingness to return for future sessions, highlighting the program’s potential to engage families within the community.
The “Storytime in the Park” series was inspired by a similar initiative launched by Lexington Mayor Hazel Livingston, who hosted her first event on May 20, 2025, drawing around 20 children. Livingston’s event included refreshments, and future sessions will incorporate face painting to enhance the fun for attendees. The Lexington County Library is collaborating with the initiative to promote summer reading programs and encourage library card registrations among the community.
Mayor Danielson’s intention behind “Storytime in the Park” is to provide children with the chance to connect with local leaders while also encouraging community involvement and support for literacy efforts. He expressed that interacting with the children and witnessing their excitement was among the most rewarding aspects of his role. Danielson has announced that the next Storytime in the Park is scheduled for July 8 at Moore Park.
The initiative is not only a local effort; Chapin Mayor Albert Koon is also participating in the series, emphasizing the importance of promoting reading and literacy. Koon’s first planned Storytime event faced cancellation due to inclement weather, but he is set to host his next event on June 14 at Chapin Town Hall Park.
The Storytime events will take place monthly, alternating between the parks of Irmo, Lexington, and Chapin on Tuesday mornings, thereby enabling greater participation from families across the three towns. The events can be tracked through the official Lexington town website, providing families with an easy way to stay informed on upcoming readings and activities.
This enriching community initiative demonstrates a collaborative effort between local leaders to inspire young readers, fostering an environment where children not only gain literacy skills but also build connections with their community and its leaders.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Lexington, Chapin, Irmo Mayors’ Storytime in the Parks
- Wikipedia: Reading
- Post and Courier: Storytime Community Initiative
- Google Search: Community Literacy Initiatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Literacy
- Google News: Community Reading Programs
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CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
