The Collective in Manteca is a retirement community designed for active adults.
With nearly 350 residents, The Collective held its first-ever National Night Out event Tuesday in the comforts of the air-conditioned club house amid the dog days of summer.
“That was one of the big (gatherings) among the registered block parties,” said Officer Mike Kelly of the Manteca Police Department.
That list for National Night Out consisted of 46 – most were at Woodbridge by Del Webb, another local active adult community for those aged 55 and older.
Kelly briefed his fellow police officers including Chief Steve Schluer, Fire Chief Dave Marques and his firefighters, and City of Manteca officials consisting of City Manager Toni Lungren, Mayor Gary Singh and other elected officials, just to name a few, on their assignments for the evening.
They gathered at the Manteca Senior Center, which also offered up a variety of activities, free food, and arts & crafts to the community as part of National Night Out, before heading out to their assigned block parties.
Singh, for one, was looking forward to his 15 spots throughout town.
“National Night Out is an opportunity for us to visit the neighborhoods,” he said. “We engaged with them and we even listen to some of their issues.
“It’s a great time for bonding.”
At The Collective, Michael Gonzales and Ruth Hinton, who are involved in Seniors Helping Area Residents and Police – the Manteca police’s SHARP Unit, a volunteer group of men and women over the age of 40 dedicated to making a difference in the community – provided information on SHARP to the residents.
Gonzales also presented proclamations on behalf of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the State Senate to The Collective’s Christine Perio, who served as block co-captain for NNO.
NNO in Ripon was held at the familiar Community Center.
The only difference this year, as compared to that of the recent past, was the new fire Chief Eric DeHart and the new police Chief Danny Sauer.
Sauer was relieved at not being targeted at the dunk tank, which was noticeably absent.
According to Community Service Officer Liz Reis, who was recently promoted to lead, NNO in Ripon also welcomed Cotton Candy Cowboy to go along with the hotdogs, chips, water, popcorn, and shave ice, which were free to those in attendance thanks to the generosity of donors.
Police and firefighters displayed their emergency vehicles while children enjoyed playing in the various bounce-house structures to go along with the indoor games and activities.
Lathrop also conducted National Night Out gatherings.
