National Night Out set for Aug. 4

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Putnam County Commissioners Kristina Warren, Gene Beck and Jim Baird signed a proclamation naming August 4 as National Night Out at their Monday meeting this week.

August 4 was officially declared National Night Out in Putnam County when county commissioners signed a proclamation for the event that will take place at Robe-Ann Park from 6 to 9 p.m.

More than 40 agencies and organizations are participating in this year's program. National Night Out is 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 this event is families with children in elementary and middle school.

Volunteers will be located around the park on the evening of Aug. 4 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.

A raffle will take place that includes 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.

At this year's event there will 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, bicycle safety program, Indiana Blood Center Mobile Unit and a K-9 demonstration.

There will also be a Hula Hoop contest emceed by James "Figgy" Hardwick.

All children completing the Bicycle Safety program will receive a certificate and raffle ticket qualifying them for the bicycle/helmet raffle.

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.

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