United Way National Night Out in Erie County

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Twenty-one collaborative events will make up the United Way's National Night Out (NNO), each one hosted by an Erie County beneficiary of the nonprofit's funding. National Night Out has been a part of communities across the U.S. for 35 years. In Erie County and all other participating communities, the events are focused on empowering local neighborhoods by bringing community members together with music, games, food and conversations about crime prevention. Some of the highlights of the night include events at Gridley Park (organized by Our West Bayfront) and at the United Way Community Schools Edison Elementary (organized by Edison and Boys & Girls Club of Erie), Pfeiffer-Burleigh (organized by Family Services of NWPA), and McKinley Elementary (organized by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network and Youth Leadership Institute of Erie).

This year marks the 15th edition of NNO in Erie, but with the newest incarnation of the annual event comes nearly $3.2 million in community impact grants awarded by United Way of Erie County, the organization announced earlier this month. "All Community Impact grants are strategically aligned with milestones focused on student success and family stability — a two-generation approach to breaking the cycle of poverty," United Way said in a press release on July 17.

"In addition to NNO being an opportunity to meet neighbors and form connections, NNO events involve police departments, fire departments, and elected officials in the free activities and food. Things like this help to start conversations that are crucial to strengthening our community," said Emily Francis, community impact manager at United Way of Erie County.

This year's NNO includes events across the county. For a detailed account of all NNO 2019 activities, visit UnitedWayErie.org. — Hannah McDonald

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. // Various Locations // All Ages // Free // UnitedWayErie.org