Hundreds of children attending Liberty’s National Night Out next month will leave with more than memories of petting animals, eating hot dogs and perhaps watching their favorite first responder take a plunge in the dunk tank. They will also have a new backpack filled with school supplies.
The Liberty Police Department is preparing for the annual community event, set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Liberty Municipal Park, 501 R.E. Vinson Drive.
As part of this year’s event, Liberty PD is assembling hundreds of backpacks filled with basic school supplies to distribute free to children in attendance. On Saturday, Sept. 12, a group of volunteers gathered at the police department to fill the backpacks with donated supplies.
The backpacks are not intended to contain every item required on a school supply list, but they include many of the basics children can use throughout the school year, including paper, notebooks, crayons and pencils.
The project has received support from businesses, organizations, churches and individuals throughout the community, with additional donations still expected.
Donors so far include Sele Properties, Debbie Dugger, A-1 Tel Com, Senergy/John Hebert, Smith Towing, Smart Oilfield, Liberty Computer Systems, Shamrock Vacuum, Venola Vandeventer, Stephen and Julie Hebert/The Hebert Group, Pesco, PLC, Milam Tire & Auto, Texas Elite, Libby Simonson, Pickett & Pickett, Law Office of Logan Pickett LLC, Maci Feed, Southeast Texas AC & Heat, Precise Safety, Law Office of James Chandler, Chandler, Fitzgerald and Cook, Multi County Crime Stoppers, Applied Coating and Cleaning Technology, Mark and Elisabeth Beausleil, New Life United Pentecostal Church and First Liberty Bank.
The backpack giveaway will be one part of an evening designed to bring residents and the public safety professionals who serve them together in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
National Night Out will give residents an opportunity to meet local public safety partners while enjoying a variety of free activities and entertainment. The evening will include a petting zoo, snow cones, live music and entertainment, and a dunk tank where attendees will have a chance to send local first responders splashing into the water.
The Liberty Fire Department also will provide free hot dogs during the event.
National Night Out is held in communities across the country as a way to strengthen relationships between residents, law enforcement and other public safety agencies. In Liberty, organizers are combining that purpose with an evening of family activities — and a little extra help for local children as they make their way through the school year.
The event is scheduled for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Liberty Municipal Park, 501 R.E. Vinson Drive in Liberty.