Coventry in Spring TX celebrates National Night out!
I live in the subdivision of Coventry and I'm on our Coventry social committee. I have been on lots of committees for lots of different organizations but if you want to be on a fun committee choose the social committee. We basically plan our Coventry subdivision parties. We recently had our first very successful Coventry Night out. We thought we were planning the event for the National Night out but when we checked with Target to see about getting some of their freebies we found out that Texas is the only state in the Union who changed their National Night out to October. We had already m
ade the plans for the event so we decided to continue on; or so we thought. A little tropical storm/hurricane called Eduardo complicated our National Night out date. We had the event planned so decided to postpone one week. One week later we found ourselves in the middle of a much needed rainstorm but the weather cleared by late afternoon and we were on.
We debated on what kind of an event we would plan. The purpose of National 
Night out is to strengthen neighborhood spirit, generate support & participation in anti-crime programs such as Neighborhood Watch; and heighten crime & drug prevention awareness. With that in mind we scheduled 5 safety stations throughout the neighborhood. Our neighbors could begin at the station of their choice. They p
icked up a passport at the first station they attended and then had to have it stamped at each station to be eligible for prizes of five $50 Wal-Mart Gift Cards.
Dane Hill had a station that served popcorn and snow cones. This station was right in the center of the subdivision and had probably the most traffic of any station as the residents could stop coming and going to the other stations. They gave out safety handouts to all the children who attended.
Marshbrook/Alderly had one of the most popular stations with a visiting fire truck from the Spring Volunteer fire department. The kids loved it! Not only was this station popular for the visiting fire truck; they were also serving lemonade and cookies.
Dane hill/Hawn was serving grilled hot dogs and ice cold water. Precinct 4 Constables were on hand to fingerprint children at this station. As you can tell by the pictures it was another popular station.
Dane hill/Elmly served ice cold watermelon and 
handed out Emergency Contact magnets. The magnets had the Coventry subdivision contact numbers along with emergency contact information.
Post Bridge Cul de sac served ice cream bars and handed out information about RAD Rape Aggression Defense. RAD is a physical defense program for women that offers no-nonsense practical techniques of defense. RAD was presented in Coventry back in 2002 but many residents think it is time to have another course. If 15 women agree to sign up Harris County Sheriff's department will provide it for free.
Each household was allowed one passport. With a subdivision of about 300 homes we had 50 passports handed in. I think that is an INCREDIBLE success for our first National Night Out. We were at the Post Bridge Cul de sac and it was a little bit out of the way but each one of those 50 had to come down our cul-de-sac to get a stamp. For many I think it was the first time to come down an out of the way cul-de-sac but what a GREAT way to meet your neighbors. We had people come walking, walking with strollers, on bikes and by car.
Just as a side note. That pretty chocolate lab is our Abby dog. She wanted to attend our Coventry Night out also.
For all your Spring TX Real Estate needs, contact me today!Marchel Peterson
Results Realty
Cell: 832-721-8332
 |  |  |
Marchel, what a wonderful event to hold in your neighborhood! I've never heard of this program before, but what a great way to connect with your neighbors. It looks like it was well attended. I'm going to pass your post on to our POA. Congratulations on a successful night.
Marchel, I like it when the local fire truck comes for a visit. At some of our neighborhood functions we have had the EMTs come in the ambulance too. This post was worth it just for the Abby appearance.
Looks like a lot of fun Marchel. We have out neighbors come out and a few snow cones. Nothing like what you have above.
Marchel: What a fabulous Localism post. Every time you start typing a post, you more and more establish yourself as the one agent to call in Spring, Texas. Way to to !
Marchel--Sounds like your national night out in Spring TX was a fun and well attended event! Looks like a very good time was had by all attendees...Thanks for sharing!
We also did national night out on my block and had about 60 people there. I think only one neighbor didn't make it. It was fabulous.
DEBBIE, We have tried a lot of different types of parties in our neighborhood but this one was by far the most successful. It REALLY did what we set out to do which was meet our neighbors.
GARY, Our Abby dog loves parties and being part of the gathering. Had we left her in the house we would have heard her barking from the street.
JOHN, This was the first time our neighborhood did anything for National night out. As it turned out we didn't hit the date but it didn't stop us. Although the actual Texas National night out is in October. We are the only state in the union that has a different date for National night out (only in Texas).
KAREN ANNE, Thanks so much!! I love where I live so it makes it easy to write about it!!
TERI, We were pleased with the turn out. Its good it was last week as we have been raining all week this week. We went from a drought to a deluge.
MELINA, Only one neighbor not making it is quite a record. We really didn't have that many people come out from our cul-de-sac so it was good that we had to draw them from all over the neighborhood.
Howdy Marchel
From your very fine photos, it sure looks like Y'all had a really fun time on national night out.
That has not ever be done up here.
Marchel, this is a good community post.....I LOVE your candid photos. I've served as President and Secretary, but after two years, that was enough. I think that the social aspect of being in a community is a great get to know your neighbor feature. ;-)
DALE, This was our first time to celebrate National night out and as you can tell we did it in a big Texas way. The only problem is Texas decided that they would have National Night out in October. The only state in the union that changed the date. I think ssometimes we think we are our own country.
TERI, I was the secretary of our HOA when it first started. We had no money and most of us did not realize that our water district was bankrupt. It made for interesting meetings; a few times we had to call the police. Thank GOD those days are over. We are now fiscally sound. If you are going to be involved in a committee the social committee is the one to be on. I love being on the committe that plans the parties. We are going to have an adult only loua in September.
Marchel I was tempted to say "Shame on Texas for changing the date". However, since it is obvious you had a great time just do it again in October, Art
Marchel
What a great idea. I love the passport concept and it looks like a huge success for a first time event. I also love your chocolate lab :-)
Hi Marchel, this looks like great family fun...and Abby looked like she was enjoying herself too! Very nice post and the photos were great.
Marchel,
It is always good to provide great information to your readers and clients from your state, I bet that they love it ! :)
Keep the good work.
Ray Saenz