Letter to the Editor

LETTER: National Night Out team grateful for support

Thursday, September 1, 2022

To the Editor:

The 16th-annual Putnam County National Night Out for Safety event was a great evening for children and families. While our numbers were down slightly, those in attendance had an evening they soon won’t forget. The forecast was somewhat questionable, but the skies cleared in early afternoon and families were able to enjoy an evening of fun, excitement, entertainment and comfortable temperatures.

Over 850 hot dogs were grilled, 90 pizzas were shared, and apples, bananas, chips, lemonade and cold water were available. The always-favorite snow cones continue to be a hit, with over 800 served. Also, Popscicles and the great-smelling popcorn had families wanting more all evening long. We must not forget to mention the ice-cold milk that was served from the Putnam County Farm Bureau Insurance Milk Barn. What a delightful new addition.

The committee worked diligently for several months finalizing details ensuring the success of the event. There are so many to thank, not only those who participated, but the many organizations and agencies that support us financially each year. We’re not sure you can go anywhere in our county and have an evening like this. Living in a community that comes together to meet the needs of our children and families is sincerely humbling.

Those which participated include Heather Taylor-State Farm Insurance, Putnam County Hospital, Indiana Excise Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Booster Bash, the Roachdale and Bainbridge police departments, Greencastle Police Department, Greencastle Fire Department, Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department, Dr. John Hennette Dental Office, Duke Energy, Greencastle Kiwanis, Jim Maxwell Bicycle Safety Program, Phil the Need (Tools for Schools), Coats for Kids, Mason Hubner - 811, Cummins and Cosplay, Putnam County Democratic Party, Hamilton Center, North Putnam Schools transportation department, Putnam County 911, Putnam County Public Library, StatFlight, Greencastle Parks Department, Putnam County EMS, Purdue Extension, National Guard Armory, Putnam County CERT, Putnam County Health Department, Putnam County Safe Schools, Boy Scout Troop 99, DePauw Police Department, Putnam County Head Start, Teacher’s Credit Union, Putnam County PIE Coalition student representatives and Putnam County Family Support Services, along with Elizabeth Butts passing out door prizes and emcee for the evening Figgy Hardwick.

Our event was made possible through financial contributions and/or in-kind donations from: Almost Home, Ascena Retail, Beck’s Hybrids, Big Bounce Fun House, Butler’s LP, Buzzi Unicem, Casey’s (Greencastle), Chicago’s Pizza–Kevin and Jenny Hutcheson, City of Greencastle Aquatic Center, Culligan Water–Jeremy and Marta Clark, Duke Energy, DePauw University, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza King, Final Approach Restaurant, Family Support Services, Flowers Bakery, Firefly (formerly Community Partners), Greencastle Moose Lodge, Greencastle Lion’s Club, John Garl Bikes, John and Kelly Robertson–Big Brother’s Custom Cut LLC, Healthies, the Baugh family, McDonald’s, Monical’s Pizza, Niagara Water Bottling, Kevin Girton–Eckrich, Kroger, Putnam County Fair Board/Fairgrounds, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Putnam County PIE Coalition, Putnam County CERT, Putnam County Senior Center, Putnam County Farm Bureau – Milk Barn, My Gilley, Papa John’s Pizza, Splash Island, Teachers Credit Union, Town of Roachdale, The Waters of Greencastle, Taylor Made Awards, Greencastle Walmart and Wonder Lab.

We are grateful beyond words for the many community volunteers who line up each year to participate: Alan and Mary Zerkel, Jackie and Rick Robinson, Jamie Mourey, Paula Fry, William Merkel, Jenny and Shannon Kessler, Hannah LaPradd, Rachel Crosby, Megan Ward, Amy Wells, Isaiah Wallace, Kevin Spear, Alex Higgins, Jana Higgins, Brian Swick, Haley Shoulders, Teresa Parrish, Garnett Gorham, Justin Long, Allison Creekmore-Long, Sherri Cash, Jessyca South, Amber Halloram, Patti Harmless, Samantha and Josh and Lilly Richardson, Sherri Neild, Amanda Downing, Sarah Cofer, Lexi Hardey, Shawna Wilkerson, Morgan Amis, Melissa Duncan, Terri Barnhart, Valarie Garrison, Lyndsay Carter, Jim and Cindy Craves, Jessica Briones, Annie Richmond, Dan McMurtry, Angie Shea, Cathy Westman, Ava McHugh, Donna Wait, Kelsey Carrington, Olivia Richardville, Wade Hamilton, Grace Clodfelter, Aliana Chew, Trevor Roseboom, Danielle Nees, Emily Mann, Danae Cline, Madison Gardner, Jamie Bunten, Tracy White, Tiffany Moore, Jaden Marco, LorelI Sperry, Amy Smith Merrick Falk, Landon Davis, Cameron Coe, Kayleb Hurst, Kristen and Steven Allen, Erin Sutherlin and Conor Rooksberry.

We are honored to have a committee that donates their time, energy and support each year. They are true dedicated community individuals. We are honored to work alongside them each year — Patti Harmless, Ruth Myers, Alan Zerkel, Andrew Ranck, Sherri Miller, Megan Wager, Jerrod Baugh, Elizabeth Butts, Cindy Peterson, Kerri Keyt, Greg Ruark, Jane Hazelton, Frank Gardner, Heather Taylor, Dwight Simmons, Debra Simmons, Carrie Tanner, Heather Lewis, Jesse Cook, Mason Hubner, Terry Tippin, Adrien Lepine, Kelly Robertson, Kelly Russ and Robin Gliddon. A special thanks to committee members Karen Martoglio and Jeff Mace, who worked diligently to reorganize our layout.

To all the organizations that provided fun activities, handouts and a community outreach for so many to enjoy, we say a humble “Thank you.” If you would like to join our team, we will begin our plans for 2023 in February.

On behalf of the many smiling faces and great memories that were made, we say “Thank you” for participating, donating or attending. We hope to see you next year.

Linda Merkel, Tom Sutherlin and Renee Marsteller

National Night Out Co-Chairs