LETTER: National Night Out organizers express thanks

To the Editor:

The weather could not have been any better than on Monday, July 31. It was a great evening for children and families. Numbers were down slightly, but with so many last-minute activities before school, we expected to see a small decline. However, those who attended were presented with an evening they soon won’t forget.

Our food found a new home thanks to Cassel C. Tucker American Legion. More than 1,100 hot dogs were grilled along with more than 80 pizzas, apples, our always-favorite snow cones, popcorn and lemonade. For the second straight year, Putnam County Farm Bureau manned the Milk Barn and shared its delicious ice-cold milk. Chocolate milk is always a treat, and it was so popular their team ran out way before our evening was concluded.

The committee worked diligently for over six months finalizing details to ensure the success of this event. New this year was the addition of a food insecurity project. Ruth Myers of Phil the Need, along with her team of volunteers, shared non-perishable canned food items for each family leaving the event. Food was placed in bags donated by Cathryn Ensley of Hendricks Regional Health. This new addition received great reviews and positive remarks from families. Plans for next year and a bigger distribution are already under consideration.

There are so many to thank, not only those who participated, but the many organizations and agencies that support us financially each year. We are 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 who participated: Heather Taylor - State Farm Insurance, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry (Dr. John Hennette and staff), Greencastle Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Greencastle Fire Department, Greencastle Kiwanis, Jim Maxwell Bicycle Safety Program, Phil the Need (food insecurity), Coats for Kids, Booster Bash, Roachdale and Bainbridge police departments, Duke Energy, Mason Hubner 811, Cummins and Cosplay, Greencastle mayoral candidate Lynda Dunbar, Tri-County Bank, Moose Lodge 1592, Hamilton Center, Putnam County Teen Court, Terry Tippin and the North Putnam transportation department, Mental Health America of Putnam County, Putnamville Correctional Facility, Putnam County 911, Putnam County Public Library, StatFlight, Greencastle Parks Department, Putnam County EMS, National Guard Armory, Putnam County CERT, Putnam County Health Department, Putnam County Safe Schools, Putnam County Fair Queen Katie Fry, Second Runner-up Olivia Richardville and Fourth Runner-up Andrea Nees, Boy Scout Troop 99, Putnam County Head Start, Everwise (formerly Teachers Credit Union), Putnam County PIE Coalition student representatives, Family Support Services of West Central Indiana and our emcee for the evening, James Figgy Hardwick.

Our event was made possible through financial contributions and/or in-kind donations from the following: Beck’s, Big Bounce Fun House, Butler’s LP, Buzzi Unicem, Chicago’s Pizza (Kevin and Jenny Hutcheson), Phil the Need (Ruth Myers), Heather Taylor - State Farm Insurance, Culligan Water (Jeremy and Marta Clark), Duke Energy, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Casey’s Greencastle, Final Approach Restaurant, Firefly, Moose Lodge 1592, Flower’s Bakery, John Garl Bikes, John and Kelly Robertson, Putnam County Extension Homemakers, The Waters of Greencastle, Healthies, Kroger, Putnam County PIE Coalition, Jerrod Baugh and family, Monical’s Pizza, Niagara Water Bottling, Kevin Girton – Eckrich, Putnam County Fair Board/Fairgrounds, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Putnam County CERT, Putnam County Farm Bureau Milk Barn (My Gilley), Tri-County Bank (Della Estep), Papa John’s Pizza, Splash Island, North Salem State Bank, Indianapolis Indians, Indy 11, Plaza Lanes, Putnam County Playhouse, Sky Zone, 3G Bowl, Everwise 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, Paula Fry, Dan Fry, Grace Fry, Ty Leader, William Merkel, Jenny and Shannon Kessler, Jason Chew, Samantha Richardson, Tracy Agnew, Angie Shea, Joyce Hutcheson, Sheila O’Brien, Teresa Parrish, Natalie Pritchard, Patti Harmless, Allison Creekmore, Jessyca South, Sherri Cash, Erin Rooksberry, Connor Rooksberry, Emily Alspaugh, Kristan Allen, Jana Higgins, Leslie Phillips, Megan Wager, Isaiah Wallace, Kevin Spear, Alex Higgins, Haley Shoulders, Susan and Phil Gick, Jackie and Ken Eitel, Sonny Stoltz, Chad Nunley and Ruth Myers.

We are honored to have a very dedicated and committed committee that continues to donate its time, energy and talent each year: Jeff Mace, Karen Martoglio, Alan Zerkel, Andrew Ranck, Patty Sprinkle, Cathryn Ensley, Della Estep, Sherri Miller, Ruth Myers, Megan Wager, Josh Boller, Elizabeth Butts, Sarah Cofer, Cindy Peterson, Kerri Keyt, Greg Ruark, Jane Hazelton, Frank Gardner, Jessie Cook, Heather Taylor, Debra Simmons, Carrie Gorham, Heather Lewis, Mason Hubner, Terry Tippin, Ronnie Campbell, Heath Kerns, Kelly Robertson, Kelly Russ, Ed Wilson, Rob Frank, Greg Allen, Sherry Miller and Sonny Stoltz.

To all the organizations that provided fun activities, handouts and an evening for so many to enjoy, we say a humble “Thank you.” If you are interested in joining our team for 2024, we will begin meeting in early February.

On behalf of the many smiling faces and the great memories that were made, we thank you for participating, donating or attending, and we hope to see you next year for our 18th-annual outreach.

Linda Merkel, Renee Marsteller and Tom Sutherlin
National Night Out Co-Chairs