A wonderful evening spent strengthening communities
It’s a refreshing thing to see communities coming together doing good. The Jordan Springs Elementary School parking lot was full of people, food trucks, fire trucks and other first responder vehicles on August 5 for the Snowden Bridge community’s National Night Out (NNO) event. On the first Tuesday in August each year, National Night Out is held throughout communities across the United States, U.S. territories, and military bases. Several other similar local NNO events were held at different locations in Winchester and nearby surrounding communities.
The event is aimed at creating a stronger sense of community by encouraging positive relationships between local law enforcement, community members and neighbors. The first-ever National Night Out was introduced in 1984, and it has grown tremendously since.
According to its official website, “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. … Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.”
Snowden Bridge’s event usually sees a large turnout and good participation, and this year was no exception.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Brook Fire & Rescue, representatives from a local D.A.R.E. program, the FBI, VDOT, the Laurel Center and more, all showed up with informational material and demonstrations, and fun swag items for kids and families. 911 emergency dispatchers spoke with kids about safety in emergency situations, and tips on calling for help when necessary. Fire trucks and first responder vehicles were available for kids to climb into for fun photo opportunities, and first responders held demonstrations explaining about different safety gear and how it’s used. A BB gun-shooting station was set up, allowing attendees a chance at target practice alongside local law enforcement officials.
Food trucks including Kona Ice, 3Fires Oven and Potato Sensations were set up offering food for purchase; and Mission BBQ was there giving away free pulled pork sandwiches and raffle tickets. Free water bottles and lemonade were being offered from a Snowden Bridge community tent, and Home Depot had a station set up for kids to make free wooden tool boxes with kits from the kids workshops it offers. Another highlight of the evening was a helicopter landing in the field beside the school. Once it arrived, a line of excited kids formed as guests were allowed to climb up and sit inside.
This year’s event was a success, and we’ll be excited for next year’s!
You can visit natw.org to find out more information about National Night Out.