Last National Day Out for Boggs
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Adam Miller, a State Representative serving House District 17, presents a proclamation of appreciation to cleanup organizer Lisa Boggs at the 20th Annual South Central Hilltop Cleanup in 2022.
Westside Messenger Photo -
This is the inaugural National Day Out event took place in the streets of west Columbus with a budget of $50 in 2005.
Photo provided by Lisa Boggs
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The National Day Out event grew so big it moved to John Borroughs park in 2017, then to Saturday in 2022 in order to incorporate more resources for the residents.
Photo provided by Lisa Boggs
by Theresa Garee
The 20th annual South Central Hilltop Day Out is on August 16, from 1-4 p.m. in John Burroughs Park at 551 S. Richardson Avenue. South Central Hilltop ‘Day Out’ is held in conjunction with National Night Out, a nationwide celebration observed on the first Tuesday of August. However, neighbors of Hilltop have scheduled their event on a Saturday, during the day, to accommodate more resources from various groups to be available.
The 20th Annual Day Out will serve as the final celebration of partnerships with law enforcement and government entities, promoting anti-violence initiatives, and the community connections that have been fostered over the years.
However, organizer Lisa Boggs is sure there are plenty of National Night Out events, now, that will fill the role.
“In 2005, they asked me to organize the event, it started with a $50 budget from the Homes on the Hill Development Association,” Boggs said. “Former Mayor Coleman joined us that year to socialize and eat grilled hamburgers.”
Boggs said the event grew organically each year. The time change to Saturday happened in 2022 to reach more families, local organizations and businesses.
Participants can set up tables at the event or donate gift cards to the Free Drawing event. Businesses like Target have been a staple since the beginning and new businesses like Westside Toys are eager to donate to the raffle.
“I hand make a board that thanks every sponsor,” Boggs said, adding that her efforts include a Facebook post for each donor on the event page.
Local judges come to serve pizza to the community and the police, fire, and highway patrol hold a little touch-a-truck by bringing their rigs.
Boggs isn’t retiring as a community activist, she’s just retiring as organizer of the South Central Hilltop Day Out event.
The last National Day Out event will begin with an opening ceremony, a tradition unlike any other National Night Out.
Opening ceremony will be at 1 p.m. with the American Legion Don Gentile Post 532 Presenting of Colors. Local Acafellow Four will be singing the National Anthem and Pastor Ben Douglas will lead prayer.
