National Night Out effort set for Aug. 7

Representatives of organizations and businesses participating in this year’s National Night Out include (from left) Jerrod Baugh, Pam Wade, Patti Harmless, Kerri James, Allison Creekmore-Long, Kelton Newins, Elizabeth Butts, Kim McMains, Lori Monnett, Dan McMains, Karen Martoglio, Jessie Jackman, Kayla Hens, Cierra Wilson, Rich Shamel, Rick Deer, Jeff Mace, Erin Ray, Shelly O’Neal, Bill Nunn, J D Grove, Dave Bault, Kevin Spear, Linda Merkel, Tom Sutherlin, Jim Maxwell, Christy Miller and Carrie Hamilton.

Banner Graphic/Brand Selvia

Many local businesses, organizations and first-responders will come together to celebrate National Night Out in Putnam County on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

As in previous years, it is scheduled for Robe-Anne Park in Greencastle and will start at 5 p.m. and go until 8 p.m.

The rain date is Aug. 9.

National Night Out is staged on the same night in communities across the country to promote police programs like drug prevention and neighborhood watches.

This will be the 12th year that the Putnam County Youth Development Commission has organized the event, with executive director Linda Merkel coordinating the effort.

National Night Out is free and open to the public, and local eateries will provide pizza, hotdogs, snow cones, popcorn, fruit, water and lemonade, all of which is donated.

Thanks to the generosity of some of the 30 participating organizations, children K-12 will receive school supplies by interacting with them through a game of bingo.

There will also be raffles for tickets to Holiday World and Plaza Lanes in Crawfordsville, to name a couple of donors.

The Rookie Run will also be featured again this year, giving participants time to interact with local law enforcement.

Registration will be conducted at shelterhouse No. 2 (next to the skatepark) and at another designated area north of the park pool.

For more information, persons may contact the Putnam County Youth Development Commission at 653-9342.