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Cherryville, NC (WNN)—Despite rainy weather, the second National Night Out in Cherryville was a success. The event, held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, brought law enforcement, local organizations, and residents together for food, fellowship, and free community services.
Now in its 41st year, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held nationwide. It promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to create safer and more caring neighborhoods.
Attendees Enjoying Food and Interacting with Each Other
August 5th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
The campaign launched in August 1984, and 2.5 million neighbors in 400 communities across 23 states participated. What had started as a simple front porch vigil quickly became a national celebration. Communities hosted block parties, festivals, parades, and cookouts. These events featured safety demonstrations and activities for youth, while emergency personnel came to share time with the residents, thus creating camaraderie between the citizens and their local law enforcement.
Tamara Hardin and her newly formed non-profit organization, Fruitful Life Ministries Outreach, organized the event. She expressed her gratitude for the collective effort that made the evening possible. " We put this thing together for the community, it's not about us, it's about all of us." She mentioned her motivation for bringing this event to Cherryville, inspired by attending a National Night Out event in Lincolnton with her grandmother.
Hardin credited the event's success to the support of many partners and donors. Those included Food Lion, which provided food for last year's event, Rudisill Chapel A.M.E Zion Church, the YMCA, Wade Stroupe, who generously donated, food vendors, and Kintegra. She also acknowledged Kids Cabin Daycare, the Gaston County Sheriff's Department, and Robbie Waldrop, who is currently running for Gaston County Sheriff.
Kids Cabin Family Child Care Home Owner Terry Whitworth with Cherryville Police Chief Brandon Hunsucker
August 5th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Hardin also mentioned the importance of the event as a free resource for the community, especially with rising inflation, stating, "People don't do free events anymore, so this is an opportunity for us to get together and feed the community as well as give things away and not have to charge anyone for anything."
Food Lion and the Cherryville Police Department gave out free gifts to all in attendance, including hats, cups, candy, coloring books, and more. The Police Department also had their drone for those in attendance to view.
The Cherryville Police Department's gift table at the 2nd annual National Night Out Event.
August 5th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
A large crowd attended the event. Attendees were able to communicate with Cherryville officials, police, fire, and medical personnel, gaining a real connection with them. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and chips were served.
Cherryville Police Chief Brandon Hunsucker emphasized that National Night Out allows police officers to interact with the community in a positive setting. "A lot of times we see people at their worst," Hunsucker said. "This is just an event that we get to meet and greet and talk to people and it not be on their worst day."
Hunsucker says the event's main goal is to show the community that police officers are approachable and trustworthy. "We're human, just like everybody else. We put our pants on one leg at a time, just like anybody else. We want the community to know that they can trust us, that they can come and talk to us, and that we're here for them."
Despite the rainy weather forcing some planned activities, such as a bouncy house, to be canceled, the event was a success. Hardin expressed hope for an even bigger event next year, stating, "We definitely want to do bigger next year." She reiterated that the event is for everyone in the community to come together, enjoy, and fellowship, emphasizing that "if we don't have each other, we don't have anything."
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