To the Editor:

On behalf of the National Night Out Committee we are proud to announce that over 1,500 community members participated in our 11th annual event on Tuesday, Aug. 1st from 5-8 p.m. at Greencastle Robe-Ann Park. The activities however were stopped a little short due to an impending storm.

Hot dogs, pizza, snow cones, apples, popcorn and drinks were again shared with all attending.

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: Anthony’s Pizza; Ashley Square Cinema; Big Bounce Fun House Rentals; Butler’s LP & Fertilizer; Casey’s General Store in Roachdale and Greencastle; Charlie’s Beefcake Burgers; Chicago’s Pizza; Children’s Bureau – Community Partners; Clark Brothers Farm; Culligan of Putnam County; Dairy Castle; Duke Energy; Eckrich; First Financial Bank; First National Bank; Flowers Bakery; Garls’ Bike Shop; Greencastle Kiwanis; Greencastle Parks and Recreation and Aquatic Center; Heather Taylor State Farm Insurance; Holiday World; Indianapolis Indians; Jedele Enterprises; Jean Holder, DDS; John Hennette, DDS; Kroger; Lou’s Diner; Monical’s Pizza; Papa Johns Pizza; Pizza Hut; Putnam County Hospital; Putnam County Comprehensive Services and Aktion Club; Noble Romans; Plaza Lanes – Ground Zero Laser Tag; Putnam County PIE Coalition; Stat Flight; Sky Zone; Splash Island, Plainfield; Taylor Made Awards; Terre Haute Children’s Museum; Tri-County Bank; United Way of Putnam County; Wonderlab of Bloomington and West Central Indiana Economic Development District.

Over 35 community organizations donated their time and energy in support of this powerful outreach and our mission of keeping Putnam County’s children safe and healthy. A special thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who donated their time, you are the greatest. And, of course, to our National Night Out Knight, we appreciate you always making an appearance; James Figgy Hardwick and his wonderful service as the “DJ” and to the staff of Robe-Ann Park, your work throughout the entire process was a real blessing.

Words cannot begin to express our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the committee who willingly volunteered their time and energy: Christy Miller, Lyndsey Miller, Heidi Menzel, Pam Wade, Kerry James; Dominique Gibson, Sonny Stoltz, Chad Nunley, Lori Miller, Dan McMains, Kim McMains, Kari Plessinger, Bill Nunn, Jerrod Baugh, Rod Weinschenk and David Bault, Kayla Hens, Karen Martoglio, Joy Morris and Donna Russell, Jim Maxwell, Ryan Peschke, Lori Lucas, Jeff Mace, Elizabeth Butts, Renee Marsteller, Holly McFadden, Patti Harmless, Allison Creekmore and Kyle Gibbons.

We’re convinced this annual event is a night for the Putnam County 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 build a safer community.

We look forward to our 12th annual fun-filled and exciting event in 2018. We hope to see you there.

Linda Merkel

Tom Sutherlin

NNO coordinators