Yesterday's block party at Feddersen Community Center was a hit! Center Manager, Dareyl Hamlet, told us the kids were still talking about their fantastic time with Columbus Division of Police when they arrived at summer camp, and we know we're still smiling ourselves. With SWAT, K-9, Motorcycle Unit, Community Liaison Officers, CPD Therapy Dog Unit, the Helicopter Unit, and RREACT--it was nothing short of amazing!
Hot dogs were lovingly prepared by Zone 1 Safe Streets, and Djdee Ferg provided great dance music. Actually, AEP Ohio's Louie the Lightning Bug danced a LOT, while his co-workers took people up in two bucket trucks.
Columbus Department of Public Safety Director Kate McSweeney-Pishotti came to the party, and there were multiple community support agencies there. Every agency table gave tickets out to kids who visited, and they got a turn at our prize wheel, which we doubled our prizes for this time because we nearly ran out at Linden, and we're not having that!
Oh! Of course, there was a dunk tank. Wouldn't be a Starfish/CPD Block Party without a dunk tank would it? Cute story: when CPD Deputy Chief (and Starfish Board Member) Tim Myers was getting in, we quietly asked a boy passing by if he'd like a chance to dunk him. This guy was so excited by the idea that he started doing stretches to warm up! The next thing we knew, there were six other kids in line. It's like they have some secret way of communicating that the dunk tank is open for business.
We were also delighted to have Dublin Police Department's Deputy Chief and Starfish Board Member, Nick Tabernik, and our friends from Franklin County Sheriff's Office join us. The highlight? FCSO Sgt Rhodes was the first to dunk CPD Chief Myers!
A huge shout-out to our sponsor Byers Airport Subaru, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, our partner agencies, the volunteers, and everyone at CPD, especially Safe Streets. You're all stars! Your dedication makes these events possible.
Remember the hit chalk donuts from Linden's block party? For Feddersen, we added a dash of carnival spirit with clown wigs and noses. And guess what? They were gone in a flash! Now, we're pondering what magic we can bring to Adams Community Center's block party on July 12 from 4-7pm. We hope you can join us!
