National Night Out is October 4

By Jessica Coleman 
Staff Writer
    National Night Out is celebrated in most places on August 11. In Texas, due to the usually oppressive heat, it is moved to October. National Night Out is in its 33rd year, but this October, for the first time, Jackson County will participate, and the event is being spearheaded by the Edna Rotary Club. 
    National Night Out is an annual event that is meant to promote positive relationships between police and their communities. According to the National Night Out website, natw.org, over 38 million people in over 16,000 neighborhoods participate in National Night Out annually.
    Edna Police Chief Clinton Wooldridge said in light of recent events, Jackson County residents have really stepped up and rallied around law enforcement, dropping cookies, sandwiches, and other goodies by at the station, and stopping them on the street for well-wishes. National Night out was a way of giving back.
    “We have a lot of people that are doing things for us,” said Wooldridge, “And this would be something we could do together, for the whole community.”
    Rotary members Kelly and Callaway Aimone are heading up the planning of the event. Kelly said there will be events for everyone.
    “We’re trying to get plenty of games for kids and adults to play,” said Callaway.
    “There are free hot dogs, and HEB is donating for the condiments,” added Kelly, “there will be lots of games, kind of like a carnival, there’s even a bouncy castle.”
    Local clubs and businesses are also participating, and everything is free.
    The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Services Building Auditorium.