Backpacks & A Bash . . . Williston Police Host Summertime Events

Williston, ND (KEYZ) The clocking is ticking down to get-in on two great events hosted by the Williston Police Department.

Parents of young ones, Kindergarten through 8th grade (including those who attend private school or are home schooled), you'll want to seize the opportunity to register for the Williston Police Department's 3rd Annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway.

Officers with the WPD become personal shoppers for 20 lucky winners; they'll fly through the aisles at Walmart to stuff a backpack full of all the required supplies commensurate with your specific child's school and grade.

"We get everything on their school list," said WPD Community Engagement Officer Ashley Celander.  "Their whole school supply list is purchased by the police department."

Registering for the drawing is easy, but the window is closing fast.  Submissions need to be emailed to Officer Celander by 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 29th.

"To enter they just email me with their child's name, age, what school they're going to, what grade that they are going to be in, and parent contact information."

Celander says she anticipates the drawing for the backpacks to be on August 1st with backpack pickup to follow from August 8th through the 12th.

On August 2nd, members of the Williston Police Department and first responders from myriad other agencies in Williams County will converge at Davidson Park for National Night Out 2022, an annual meet and greet event replete with food, games, tours of emergency vehicles and more!

Celander says the event is designed to encourage parents and their children to come and "hang out" with members of the law enforcement and emergency response community.

"[It's] just getting everybody to come out, hang out with us, get to know us as people," said Celander.  "Knowing that our first responders are people as well as first responders."

The agencies (with some cool equipment in tow) that Celander anticipates being present at the event include the Williston Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, the Highway Patrol, Border Patrol, Game and Fish, and a number of specialized teams such as S.W.A.T and the Williams County Dive Team.

Celander adds that there are "tons of giveaways" at the various booths and a special Scavenger Hunt.

"We'll give out a little card at the Police Department table and the kids go around and find the things on the scavenger hunt.  If they get them all, they can turn them in to Jer Bears for a free shaved ice."

Williston's National Night Out 2022 is Tuesday, August 2 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Davidson Park, 11th Street W & 9th Avenue W, Williston, ND.