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By: MaKyna Kancso / Staff Writer - Updated: 1 day ago
BUCKHANNON — Upshur County’s Annual National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 2 couldn’t have been better! Upshur County hosted NNO at the Upshur County Recreational Park at the Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Although, the day started out rainy, the evening’s weather couldn’t have been more beautiful for swimming activities.
National Night Out takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. It is an annual community event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie all while having pizza, Zul’s, fun at the pool, a DJ and door prizes.
According to natw.org, National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. The state of Texas and select areas celebrate the first Tuesday in October. It’s a chance to bring neighborhoods together with the men and women who protect them. The safety of our community depends on both law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, Fire crews and the neighbors they serve. NNO enhances that cooperation.
Our Upshur Community’s law enforcement ensures they work hard and pay attention to detail in order to keep us safe, and they do such a wonderful job. Even with the immense need for volunteer firemen, every fire department in Upshur County goes above and beyond for this community.
Brand new bicycles and helmets and several gift cards were given away as door prizes. Buckhannon Police Officer Angel McCauley and EMS personnel Gloria Burr served Zul’s frozen lemonade and handed out pizza for all the children and parents in attendance.
With Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) at the front gate, also in attendance were Aetna Better Health, CERTA, and The Health Plan with tents set up giving away coloring books, bubbles and other fun things for the children to do.
After 15 years, Lieutenant Doug Loudin expressed his last year in charge of NNO was “bittersweet.” Lt. Loudin plans to retire in the next 7 years.
In coordination with the Upshur County Family Resource Network (UCFRN), and VIPS, other officers helped Lt. Loudin with putting such a wonderful event together for our community.
The main purpose for the event is for police and first responders to “take back the night for fighting against crime.” They do their part and more for the community and we must do ours. This is an opportunity for various services to show what they provide to Upshur County.
Lt. Loudin expressed, “I enjoyed planning and preparing for this event. It brings happiness to the children and presents them an opportunity to see their first responders in a different light. I’m now passing the torch down to my other officers to plan and prepare National Night Out for the years to come.”
Looking around, all that could be seen was laughing children, people dancing, and just all-around residents of the community having a great time and enjoying themselves with smiles on their faces.
Also, a huge thank you was expressed to the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur for their generous donation of $750.00 for the event.
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