Letter to the Editor

National Night out says thank you

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

To the Editor:

On behalf of the National Night Out Committee we are proud to announce that over 1,000 community members attended our eighth annual event on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Greencastle Robe-Ann Park. Hot dogs, pizza, snow cones, apples, popcorn and drinks were again shared with everyone attending. We were extremely delighted with the attendance considering all the back to school activities scheduled for the same evening.

This event would not be possible without the sponsorship of so many community agencies. We continue to be humbled by their sincere and generous contributions: Bloomington Wonder Lab, Bounce House Fun Rentals, Butler's LP Fertilizer, Casey's General Store in Roachdale, Chandler's Farm, Charlie's Beefcake Burgers, Children's Bureau -- Community Partners, Dance Workshop, Duke Energy, Flowers Bakery, Garl's Bike Shop, Greencastle McDonald's, Greencastle Parks & Recreation and Aquatic Center, Holiday World, Hendershot's Service Center, Humble Pie, Indiana State Excise Police, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, Patrick Murphy and the Indiana National Guard in Indianapolis, Jason Keeney of Culligan of Putnam County, Jean Holder DDS, John Hennette DDS, Kroger, Monical's Pizza, Monster Mini Golf, Paula and Dan Fry, Papa John's Pizza, Pizza King, Putnam County PIE Coalition, Terre Haute Children's Museum, United Way of Putnam County and West Central Contracting.

We appreciate our exhibitors who donate time and energy in support of this powerful community outreach and our goal of keeping Putnam County's children safe and healthy. We are especially thankful for the National Night Out Knight who continues to join us each year.

The following agencies/organizations participated: Air Evac, Army Corps of Engineers, Bridges Out of Poverty, Cloverdale Police, Cummins-Behavioral Health, Dance Workshop, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Child Services, Duke Energy, Family Support Services, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Greencastle Boy Scouts, Greencastle Fire Department, Greencastle Kiwanis, Greencastle Police, John Hennette DDS, Johnson Nichols Health Clinic, Indiana State Excise Police, Indiana State Police, Madison Township Fire Department, Mental Health America PC, Monster Mini Golf, PC Operation Life, PC Safe Schools, PC Sheriff's Department, PC Youth Development Commission, PC Head Start, PC PIE Coalition, PC Hospital, PC Community Corrections, PC Adult Probation (drug and alcohol) PC Juvenile Probation, PC Prosecutor's Office, PC Salvation Army, PC Museum, PC Imagination Library/Bookmobile, Purdue Cooperative Extension, Reading Improvement Center, Reelsville Fire Department, Roachdale Police Department and the UAW Education Committee.

Thank you to our community representatives who willingly volunteered their time to our annual dunk tank: Rob York of York Automotive in Brazil; Brad Sandy, Cloverdale Elementary Principal; Jerrod Baugh, Indiana State Excise Police; Jon Chadd, PC Sheriff's Department; Tom Sutherlin, Greencastle City Police Chief; and Matt Slayter, Youth Minister, Greencastle Christian Church.

A special thank you to our wonderful community volunteers: Sue Murray, Stephanie Campbell, William Merkel, Josh Richardson, Lora Busch, Amy Walter, Eddie Felling, Nancy Zennie, John Kass and his staff from Buzzi Unicem, Mike Mahoy and his crew from Roachdale, Sarah Fry, Cierra Perry and Matt Huffman. Also Malachi Taylor, Kelly Stevens, Carrie Myers, Cathy Westman and Jason Chambers. We also wish to thank the staff of Robe-Ann Park for their efforts and service throughout the entire process. It was also a real pleasure to have Tonya Sanders of WREB Radio Station broadcasting live from our event.

Words cannot begin to express our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the committee who willingly volunteered their time to organize this outreach: Christy Glass, Garret Nichols, Lori Lucas, Teresa Parrish, Renee Marsteller, Samantha Richardson, Ashley Underwood, Tiffany Boswell, Lynn Sweet, Troy Scot, Sonny Stoltz, Elizabeth Butts, Eileen Johnson, Darcy Hendershot, Holly McFadden, Sandy Runner, Tammy Hunter, Patti Harmless, Jerrod Baugh, Rod Weinschenk, Kim and Dan McMains, Shelly Chadd, Jim Maxwell, Carl Singer, Dominique Gibson, Brian Hopkins, Carrie Myers and Jeff Mace.

We are convinced this event is a night for our community to stand together to promote drug and alcohol awareness, safety and unity. National Night Out showcases the fundamental importance of police partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to be a safer community.

We look forward to our ninth annual fun-filled exciting event in 2015. Hope to see you there!

Linda Merkel and Tom Sutherlin

NNO Coordinators