National Night Out donations will help support programs sponsored by 360 Youth Services

Above / Power of Choice High School Coordinator Elaine Schram, left, and 360 Youth Services Executive Director of Child Welfare Debbie Robertson accept donations collected during the 20^th annual National Night Celebration from Naperville Police Crime Prevention Specialist Julie Smith and Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham. The donations totaled nearly $1,200 in products, gift cards and cash. 

During National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, neighbors did more than just band together to celebrate “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” they donated to help those less fortunate within the City’s boundaries. Green boxes were available to receive donations at all registered National Night Out events. In all, these boxes collected more than $1,200 in products, cash and gift cards.

The donation drive was a new feature of the 20^th annual National Night Out celebration done in partnership with The Power of Choice, a collaborative project led by 360 Youth Services of Naperville. The initiative focused on combating primary substance abuse and encouraging youth to make healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  The donation drive provided personal care and other items for the agency’s Transitional Housing Program.

“Having the 360 Youth Services donation drive on National Night Out was a great opportunity for our residents to become involved,” said Naperville Police Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham. “The donations provided will help people in need not just one night but for the entire year.”

On Tuesday, August 11, Deputy Chief Cunningham and Crime Prevention Specialist Julie Smith presented the donations to Power of Choice High School Coordinator Elaine Schram and 360 Youth Services Executive Director of Child Welfare Debbie Robertson.

“This is a great way to keep the spirit and momentum of National Night Out working throughout the year,” Smith explained.

For more information about 360 Youth Services, visit www.360youthservices.org and for more information about The Power of Choice program, visit www.thepowerofchoice.info.

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