Event promotes civic unity
National Night Out planned for TuesdayBy EMILIE NELSON Messenger staff writer
The annual National Night Out emphasizing neighborhood unity and good relationships with law enforcement will be observed Tuesday evening in Fort Dodge.
The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Parish Center, 416 N Eighth St., and will feature kids' games, informational booths, prizes and a free meal of hot dogs, chips and ice cream.
The nationally observed event will be celebrated in 15,000 cities throughout the United States to promote safety in communities.
Locally, members of the Fort Dodge Police Department, Fort Dodge Fire Department and the Webster County Sheriff's Department will be on hand to give demonstrations and to hold discussions on how to build a safe community.
"The whole idea behind the event is to get people together and to connect with the police and safety providers who make Fort Dodge a safer, stronger community," said Jarrod Feld, an Americorps VISTA member who has been working with the Webster County Diversity Team, one of the organizations that sponsors the event each year.
National Night Out will be held in conjunction with the local Back to School Bash and will also include the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies for students in need.
"We will be handing out 700 backpacks this year," said Brandi Dunn, an outreach specialist with Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. "We've already purchased all of the supplies and will be putting them together with the help of the Douglas Dreamers 4-H Club."
Dunn said in order to receive a backpack, families must fill out an application, which can be picked up at the UDMO office, 900 Central Ave. All applications should be filled out and returned by Friday.
"We want everyone to apply that hasn't had the chance to do so yet," she said.
Donations are also still being accepted for the Adopt a Student program. For just $17, an individual will be able to provide everything a child needs to go back to school. Those donations may also be taken to the UDMO office.
The entire event is open to the public, and children will have the chance to win a new bicycle, donated by Target, one of the national sponsors for the event.
"Kids will receive a pass book for prizes to be stamped at each booth they visit, and that will give them a chance to win bikes, helmets, first aid kits and weather radios," said Feld.
Feld said the event is a good way for neighborhoods to interact and talk with officials about starting their own neighborhood watch programs.
"The goal is for everyone to take ownership of their neighborhoods," he said. "It should bring a lot of people out, everyone can come, and we'll be there, rain or shine."
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net
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woohoo
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07-29-10 2:01 PM
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Should have had it at the A/C though.
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woohoo
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07-29-10 1:57 PM
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o.k. I'll be there
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topdown
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07-29-10 12:37 PM
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Really getting tired of hearing your negativity, woohoo. You really need to change your name to boo hoo, cause that's all you ever do is cry all the time. Bet you have never been to one of the National Night Outs, have you? Lots of people do show up. Mostly young people. And I am sure that they take something away with them that changes their outlook on their life and community. Maybe you should attend once and change your attitude.
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welcomehomefortdodge
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07-29-10 6:51 AM
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people in fort dodge need to and should take ownership of their neighborhoods. clean up the smucks in the area.
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