East Highland Celebrates Post-Pandemic National Night Out 2021

Though East Highland was not able to hold its annual National Night Out in 2020 due to the U.S. pandemic, it returned this year at host church Rose Hill Memorial Church on 22nd Street and was total success!

East Highland Neighborhood President, S. Renee Greene, Vice-President Linda Robinson, Secretary Jacquita Charleston, and Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Dewhart were all on task and busy, but this was the year that Rose Hill MBC delivered a knock-out punch to the festivities by paying for all the school supplies. CAD (Columbus Against Drugs), Linda Robinson, President--made sure that the Lion's Share of the good food served was paid for and taken care of.

A presentation was made to President Greene on behalf of the Muscogee County Sheriff's Department who said, and we quote, "WE LOVE EAST HIGHLAND!" East Highland Vice-President Robinson made sure to also take a moment of silence out to the memory of fallen officer, Deborah Whitley, who died recently of cancer.

BBQ ribs, chicken, hot dogs, nachos and hamburgers were on the menu, along with plenty of cake, Bluebell ice cream cups, and the students were able to take home snack bags filled with mixed candies.

Seen on-site, of course, was Rose Hill Pastor Alonza Whitaker, City Councilmen Walker Garrett-District 8, John House-District 10 At-large, and the finest members of the Columbus Police Department along with the Muscogee County Sheriff's Department.

Councilman Garrett took the time out of his busy schedule to remind East Highland that he is still working on good local legislation that helps make us #OneColumbus by enhancing federal laws that help deter against all kinds of discrimination so these laws can be enforceable and make the city of Columbus a more welcoming and inclusive place to work and live.

Pastor Whitaker played a few drawing board games with the children (including PICTIONARY) to get the momentum going, as students from kindergarten through college walked away with book bags and satchels filled with an abundance of school supplies to get them started for the new school year which starts this month.

East Highland Officers: Frank Dewhart, Jacquita Charleston, Linda Robinson, Renee Greene

Neighborhood watch groups across the nation celebrated National Night Out to be UNITED AGAINST CRIME and show solidarity with the First Responders of the Sheriff's and Police and Fire and Rescue departments in their communities who put their lives on the line 24 hours seven days a week to help keep citizens safe and neighborhoods sound and as peaceful as possible.