Local, state and federal law enforcement and safety agencies will join residents of The Woodlands to celebrate National Night Out during the community-wide kick-off celebration at Northshore Park on Saturday, October 1, 2011, from 1 to 5 p.m.

This free event is coordinated by The Woodlands Township, Neighborhood Services Department, and will include public safety and crime fighting demonstrations by organizations including:

• Alpha & Omega Mounted Security Patrol
• Montgomery County Juvenile Probation
• Montgomery County Hospital District
• Montgomery County Search & Rescue
• Montgomery County Emergency Communication District/9-1-1
• Interfaith of The Woodlands
• Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Academy Alumni
• The Woodlands Fire Department
• Operation LifeSaver
• Crimestoppers
• The Woodlands Community Emergency Response Team
• South East Texas Poison Control
• Friends of Texas Wildlife
• Texas EquuSearch
• Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3
• Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
• DWI Tracker
• Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
• Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security

The National Night Out community-wide kick-off is planned as a great event for families, with free food, a bounce house, music, face painting, games and much more. Guests will include Puffy Pinecone, McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear and Carey Bear from Memorial Herman Hospital. Free parking will be available at Aon Hewitt Associates, just a short walk to Northshore Park under the Lake Woodlands Bridge.

The official date of Neighborhood National Night Out in Texas is Tuesday, October 4, 2011. On that date, residents are encouraged to gather between 5:30 and 8 p.m. on their street or in a nearby park. How a neighborhood celebrates is up to the people who live there; it can be something as simple as popsicles for the kids or a full-blown potluck dinner. The purpose of National Night Out is to fight crime by bringing neighbors together, because neighbor knowing neighbor is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime.

At the neighborhood event, residents will have the opportunity to create a thank you poster (paper will be provided) for our deputies and fire fighters. All neighborhood posters will be given to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Pct. 4 Constable Office, Harris County and The Woodlands Fire Department in a special presentation.

Neighborhood National Night Out is also an opportunity for residents to collect food and clothing to benefit Interfaith. Collection bags will be supplied by Kroger.

Help The Woodlands compete for recognition from the National Association of Town Watch by sending photos of your neighborhood National Night Out party on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. One Grand Prize Winner and one First Prize Winner will be chosen from each village! Visit the Township Web site for details.

For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or contact your Village Liaison with The Woodlands Township at 281-210-3800.

Visit Michele Flory at www.MicheleFlory.com for more information on The Woodlands community.