NORTH BROOKFIELD – The town of North Brookfield will take part in the National Night Out for the first time on Aug. 2.
National Night Out is a campaign throughout the U.S. that focuses on building relationships between law enforcement and members of the communities that they serve.
According to North Brookfield Board of Health member Jillian Phillips, the idea to take part in National Night Out came as part of a coalition that Phillips founded called the Coalition for a Health North Brookfield. The coalition’s goal is to look at health in all its forms: physical health, nutrition, mental health, and help introduce residents to resources that can ultimately improve their lives. Coalition member and organizer of North Brookfield Cares, Susan Lewandowski, first suggested the town’s involvement in the national Night Out campaign.
North Brookfield’s Night Out, a block party-style event at North Brookfield Elementary School, aims to get the community together for a fun event while also letting residents know what services are available to them.
“When you know the people in your community, it is a safer community,” Phillips said.
Besides being a free fun night out for residents and families, over 35 local organizations and vendors will set up to show attendees what resources they can access. This is especially helpful for residents in rural areas who rarely realize all the services that are available to them, Phillps said.
“The message behind [the event] is community comradery, and it is really needed right now,” Phillips said.
They show this comradery in the all-volunteer staff who put this event together without accepting monetary donations, only product donations.
Some activities during the event include the North Brookfield Police Department cooking hotdogs for attendees, the North Brookfield Fire Department’s Touch-a-Truck event, face painting by the PTO, a K9 demonstration by the Massachusetts State Police, and live music. Organizations and businesses such as the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, WIC, the North Brookfield Senior Center, Walden Behavioral Health, New Hope Counseling Center, Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance, and Hearts for Heat, among others will set up to introduce residents to beneficial tools and resources that they can access.
Phillips said the event is just a fun way for people to reconnect with each other, especially after the isolating impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“We are just really looking forward to an event where everyone is welcome and there is no charge. We want people to know that this is a community that cares about you,” Phillips said.
North Brookfield’s Night Out is from 5 PM to 8 PM on Aug. 2 at North Brookfield Elementary School. The event is sponsored by North Brookfield Savings Bank, Algoo’s, Dollar General, North Brookfield Liquors, Hannaford’s, and NBCares2Help.
For more information about National Night Out, click here.
