🌟 Civic Engagement Starts Young! 🌟 On Tuesday, May 15, 2025, Toccoa Mayor Terry Carter welcomed young readers to City Hall for a special storytime session as part of the Mayor’s Reading Club. He read "Georgia Caroline Visits City Hall" right from the Commission Hall, where official city business takes place! 🏛️📖 👧👦 7 children had the opportunity to meet city staff, learn about their roles, and explore local government in action — all explained in an age-appropriate and engaging way. The parents loved every minute! 👏 Huge thanks to Mayor Carter and the City of Toccoa for hosting this meaningful event, and special shout-out to Shantelle Grant, Northeast Georgia Regional Children & Youth Services Director at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library for her leadership. 💬 As she shared: "I love this program and strongly believe in government partnerships. It's very vital for children to see the level of government and how everyone works together." We also want to recognize our wonderful partners at the Georgia Public Library Service who support local mayors and help promote a love of reading throughout our communities! 💙📚 #GeorgiaForward #MayorsReadingClub #CommunityPartnerships #YouthEngagement #PublicLibraries #ToccoaGA (fb)

We wrapped up the 10th and final Georgia Reads Community Awards event of 2025 today in Lamar County, and what an incredible finale it was! We were honored to join Lamar County Schools-Barnesville, GA as Super Bowl champion and author Malcolm Mitchell Read with Malcolm - Share the Magic Foundation read his book “Hey Georgia” to over 800 excited Pre-K through 2nd graders. 📖💙 The morning was filled with joy, connection, and celebration—including a special community event with local partners who champion literacy every day. A huge thank you Beth Camp- Georgia State Rep District 135 for joining us and standing alongside educators, students, and families in support of early literacy. #GeorgiaReads #LamarCounty #LiteracyMatters #GeorgiaForward #CommunityChampions (fb)