A CROWD FAVORITE at every National Night Out is the Touch-A-Truck event. The North Reading Fire Dept. brought Engine 2 for the youngsters to explore. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

Making An Impact is a column authored by members of the Community Impact Team (CIT). The Transcript publishes these articles periodically to inform our readers about the resources and free programming available to people of all ages in our community through the CIT’s efforts.

NORTH READING — The North Reading Community Impact Team (CIT) hosted its ninth annual National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 13 at Ipswich River Park, utilizing its rain date.

National Night Out is an event focused on strengthening North Reading by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners. The goal is to heighten crime‐prevention awareness, build community connections, and promote local and regional resources.

 

VOLUNTEERS from the North Reading Police Department cooked up countless burgers and hotdogs for one of the largest crowds to attend National Night Out last Tuesday at Ipswich River Park. The line wound its way around the field! (Courtesy Photo)

 

More than 15 local partners and six town resources hosted resource and informational tables including Youth Services, the Sustainability Committee, Parks and Recreation, Health Department, Elder Services, and the Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition. The Fire Department brought a large fire truck for interactive tours and the Police Department provided demonstrations of their mobile response units plus their search and rescue drone.

Aldersgate Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, RNR Chamber of Commerce, the local Cub Scouts, foster parenting from the Department of Children and Families, NRHS Interact and Social Activism Clubs, Middlesex Probation, Mystic Valley Elder Services, Nano Hornets Robotics, and Royal MeadowView were also in attendance.

 

ROAMING MAGICIAN Stephen Silva entertains attendees with close-up magic tricks during the NNO event last Tuesday at Ipswich River Park. (Courtesy Photo)

 

“This is one of our favorite events of the year. During most interactions, the public comes to us because something is wrong. It’s great to interact with them for something good, and the turnout was great,” commented Police Chief Mark Zimmerman. “We think this year was one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever seen. We’re estimating about 350 people came through.”

All events and attractions were free thanks to sponsorships from Reading Cooperative Bank, the Reading Rotary Club and Walmart as well as state and local grants. Police personnel cooked up a free barbecue and the Community Impact Team offered free raffles.

 

OVER 350 PEOPLE attended the National Night Out hosted by the NRPD and the CIT. They learned about many resources in town, such as Parks and Recreation events, and enjoyed plenty of fun and games plus a free BBQ. (Courtesy Photo)

 

Cervizzi’s provided a martial arts demonstration while Stephen Silva roamed the crowd performing close-up magic and kept the food line entertained. Moore Color Painting hosted three stations of elaborate face painting, and an obstacle course helped the young attendees get out some energy. Sixteen community volunteers ranging in age from 15 to 75 helped make the event a success. Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz noted, “We just wouldn’t be able to host this event without help. We can’t thank the generosity of our partners, volunteers, and sponsors enough.”

The Community Impact Team hopes to continue with its 10th NNO next year in 2025. To learn more about CIT events, visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT.