National Night Out is next Tuesday

Committee members for this year's National Night Out at Robe-Ann Park gathered Tuesday to finalize details for the upcoming event. Members include (front, from left) Tammy Hunter, Elizabeth Butts, Linda Merkel, Eileen Johnson, Jocelyn Moore, (middle) Troy Scott, Rod Weinschenk, Renee Marsteller, Patti Harmless, (back) Jim Maxwell, Jeff Mace, Natalie Taylor, Tom Sutherlin and Josh O'Neal.

GREENCASTLE -- In less than a week, National Night Out will take place in Putnam County at Robe-Ann Park from 6 to 9 p.m.

On Aug. 4 more than 40 agencies and organizations will come together for an event designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In Putnam County, the target population for the evening's activities is families with children in elementary and middle school.

Volunteers will be located around the park to direct families to registration tables for bracelets and information about free refreshments (Domino's Pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and drinks) and participation in the raffle.

Bracelets also serve as a free pass to swim at the Aquatics Center from 7 to 9 p.m. that night.

Items being raffled include a family sports pass for 2009-10 from each Putnam County School Corporation; a 2010 family swim pass for a family of four to the Greencastle Aquatics Center; Holiday World, Indiana Beach, and Plainfield Water Park tickets; and school supplies.

There will also be a dunk tank where students can dunk principals from several area schools.

New activities include a bounce house, pin the badge on the officer, along with a bicycle safety program and a K-9 demonstration. All children completing the Bicycle Safety program will receive a certificate and raffle ticket qualifying them for the bicycle/helmet raffle.

The Indiana Blood Center Mobile Unit will be taking donations during the evening as well.

One of the event's highlights promises to be e a Hula Hoop contest emceed by James "Figgy" Hardwick.

This year's co-chairmen for NNO are Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin and Linda Merkle with Putnam County Youth Development.

For information about this year's event, contact Merkle at 653-9342.