On a crisp spring morning in Columbia, South Carolina, the beloved mascot of Richland First Steps, Richie the Rhino, stood proudly outside the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 5623 Two Notch Road. As the door swung open, Sheriff Leon Lott emerged, flanked by a few of his deputies. But instead of the usual “uh oh” moment that this sight might evoke for lawbreakers, the Sheriff made a beeline straight for Richie, eager to join in celebrating the Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags partnership—a perfect photo op with the Richland First Steps mascot.
Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags is a unique initiative focused on nurturing early childhood literacy while building stronger community connections in Richland County. In partnership with Richland First Steps, the Lex-Rich 5 School District, and WIC, hundreds of vibrant, resource-filled bags are prepared and distributed by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department during their patrols in Lower Richland. Each bag contains a selection of age-appropriate books for children up to age five, along with information on local no-cost or low-cost social services, including free childcare and nutritional programs.
Sergeant Johnnie Broadway, a member of the RCSD team, has been actively distributing Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags in the community. “The positive impact of these bags helps reassure kids and their families that RCSD cares. We’re not just giving them a gift; we’re also encouraging parent-child interaction and learning,” he explained. “When children know we’re here to help, they’re more likely to come to us for assistance, which helps keep crime low. Kids will share things with you, and sometimes, those things lead to solving cases.” The sergeant added, “Thanks to the buddy bags, I’ve received more hugs and high fives from children than I have in a long time.”
Sheriff Lott voiced similar sentiments and support for the initiative. “This program furthers our goal to build relationships in our community. “You don’t build relationships during a crisis. You build relationships before crisis strikes and that is what this program does,” Sheriff Lott said. “By participating in this program, our deputies have another opportunity to show young kids that they are someone you can count on and go to for help.”
While the current phase of Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags is focused on Lower Richland, Sheriff Lott is optimistic about the program’s potential growth. “We definitely want to continue the program; we’ve seen so many benefits from it. I would like to expand the program county-wide. This initiative would be good for families across the whole county,” he added.
As Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags continues to make a positive impact in Lower Richland, Richland First Steps Interim CEO, Ginny Waller, Esq. believes the potential to expand this initiative county-wide lies within reach.
“Sheriff Lott and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are doing an incredible job, and we are calling on the Columbia business community and local organizations to join us in supporting this valuable program,” Waller said. “By investing in the future of our youngest citizens, you can help foster literacy, build stronger community ties, and ensure that every child in Richland County has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
Waller added, “The children we support today will become the leaders, innovators, and citizens who shape our community tomorrow. By investing in initiatives like Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags, we’re planting the seeds for a brighter, more positive future for everyone in Richland County.”
Caption: Sheriff Leon Lott poses with Richie the Rhino!
Caption: Sheriff Leon Lott looks over a batch of Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags in his office.
Caption: Sheriff Lott poses with members of his RCSD team and Richland First Steps staff members during the exchange of resource bags for the Richie’s Reading Buddy Bags initiative.
Text and photographs- Marlon Vickerman, Marketing Coordinator- Richland First Steps
