Citrus Heights neighbors host inaugural National Night Out event

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights Neighborhood Areas 2 and 6 held an inaugural National Night Out event at Ascension Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Area 2 representative Irene Hronicek said the event had a great turnout for its first year, with people from the surrounding community dropping by, as well as representatives from the Citrus Heights Police Department, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, and Animal Services. Several city staff members were also in attendance, as well as at least two City Council members, Hronicek said, adding that the city’s Beautification Truck also made an appearance.

The community gathering featured games, activities, and food for kids and families, including face painting, a bounce house, bowling, snow cones, frozen yogurt, and popcorn. Hronicek said her free iced coffee booth was “a hit,” and next year, she also hopes to be able to provide iced tea, as many residents asked for iced tea throughout the night.

Walmart provided goodie bags stuffed with school supplies for each child, as well as a group of volunteers who helped “wherever they were needed” throughout the event, Hronicek said.

Ellie, a therapy dog with the Citrus Heights Police Department, also made a short appearance near the end of the event, much to the delight of kids and adults alike. The Goldendoodle finished her training in September and joined the police force in October 2023.

Hronicek praised Area 6 Secretary and Treasurer Ruth Fox for her part in organizing the event and thanked Ascension Lutheran Church Pastor Scott Jones, and Committee Chair Terri Jellesed, who made available the church’s patio and parking lot in order to “bring the community together.”

National Night Out is an annual nationwide community-building campaign designed to help promote positive partnerships between law enforcement and firefighters, and the broader community, by encouraging neighborhood camaraderie, according to the organization’s website. The City of Citrus Heights reported on social media Wednesday that there were nine events throughout the city.

National Night Out was first introduced in August of 1984 and involved 400 communities in 23 states.