Each month leading up to The Woodlands 50th Anniversary celebration, content is created to honor the past, present and future of our community. For the month of May, public safety will be highlighted.
By Annierose Donnelly
No matter how long you’ve lived in The Woodlands, it’s easy to quickly gain an appreciation for living in such a close-knit community. One that regularly hosts events designed to bring neighbors, new and old, together. National Night Out encourages neighbors around The Woodlands to venture outside their front doors to gather and celebrate a shared commitment to neighborhood safety and unity.
As The Woodlands community grows, so does the need for residents to be vigilant and to take part in crime prevention efforts in their homes and in their neighborhoods. But on an even more personal level, National Night Out also offers everyone the chance to get to know each other better too.
The Woodlands’ National Night Out even has an award-winning history behind it. The National Night Out program came into existence in 1984. Over the last 40 years, millions of neighborhoods across America have gotten involved with the program, which promotes community building, police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal of the event, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is to make communities safer places to live.
The Woodlands Township has won numerous awards for its participation over the years. For several years, The Woodlands has been ranked in the top three for National Night Out programming by the National Association of Town Watch for the population category of 100,000 to 300,000.
For Cindy Strawn, The Woodlands Township program coordinator, the essence of National Night Out lies in its ability to transcend barriers and forge lasting relationships.
“National Night Out is not just a single night of neighborhood parties, it’s a campaign that we celebrate several months in advance,” Strawn notes. “The positive impact extends far beyond the event itself. It strengthens community relationships, builds trust between residents and law enforcement, and empowers individuals to play a proactive role in enhancing neighborhood safety.
“As we come together to celebrate and reaffirm our commitment to community safety, we pave the way for a brighter and more secure future for The Woodlands.”
Kristin Pternitis, The Woodlands Township neighborhood services manager, believes that every gathering, large and small, helps create a safer place to live.
“It is about community unity and a shared purpose,” Pternitis. “It symbolizes our commitment to building safer, stronger neighborhoods where trust thrives, bonds strengthen and safety becomes a collective responsibility.”
Upping The Woodlands’ National Night Out Fun
This upcoming 2024 National Night Out on October 6 promises to be the best one in The Woodlands yet.
This year’s National Night Out will be a vibrant celebration of community spirit. With activities such as Themed Parties, Sidewalk Chalk Art and Selfie with a Cop Contests, plenty of opportunities for everyone (no matter their age) to engage with local law enforcement at gatherings around Woodlands Township will be available. Feel inspired? Register and plan your own party.
In addition to these festivities, residents in The Woodlands are encouraged to give back to the community through initiatives such as food drives for local food banks and military drives in collaboration with Boots for Troops, which supports enlisted service members stationed overseas.
The National Night Out may be just one day on the calendar, but it is an annual reminder that when everyone comes together, the community becomes stronger, forging a natural shield against crime. Who knows? You might even form friendships that last for years to come.
Find out more about the National Night Out on The Woodlands Township’s website.
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Many thanks to The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Sponsors:
FOUNDING – Howard Hughes
PRODUCER – The Woodlands Township
LEGACY – Woodforest National Bank
HERITAGE – Waste Connections Inc.
GOLD – Entergy Texas, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
SILVER – SVN/JBeard Real Estate, The John Cooper School