Community Corner
National Night Out Inspires Collingswood Block Party
The celebration of public safety runs from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight and features more activities than a county fair.
Like most good ideas, it snowballed.
Corporal Tom Hartshaw of the was just caught in the middle of an avalanche.
In a meeting with borough leadership, Hartshaw soft-tossed the idea of participating in , a community-led public safety event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).
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Around the room, heads started to nod, and like that, the wheels of the Collingswood machine lurched into motion.
"From to the businesses up on Haddon Avenue, the response has been overwhelming," Hartshaw said. "We’re looking forward to a successful evening."
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As a first-time participant, Collingswood has the opportunity to win a Rookie of the Year Award (Category 6) from the NATW, which is reason enough to support the event.
But the list of activities provided by their generosity makes for a full-blown carnival atmosphere. They will include music and entertainment, dunk tank and speed pitch games, balloon animals, face-painting, door prizes, and free hot dogs and water ice.
"We’ve got some food and a lot of giveaways," Hartshaw said.
The event also supports community awareness, and is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to local law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Representatives from Collingswood police, fire, EMS, civic groups, government, and local businesses will staff the event.
“There’s so much opportunity to really connect with residents and a lot of good information can be distributed that will help make our town a safer place,” Collingswood Police Chief Richard Sarlo said in a statement published on the borough website.
“We’re looking forward to a big night.”
Even seniors at the Collingswood Arms Apartments lent their time to the event Wednesday morning, cutting out paper police and fire badges for children. Leading the party were Hartshaw and Collingswood Fire Chief Keith Davis.
National Night Out - Collingswood will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 7.
Donors and sponsors include:
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