Clark County NV issued the following announcement on June 2.
Clark County Parks and Recreation has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their Driveway Mobile Dance Party and Honk or Treat events. The awards honor innovative and effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
The Driveway Mobile Dance Party was a program developed to help bring some cheer to the community during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Two vans rigged with a sound system and DJ, in addition to dance-happy staff members, would visit various neighborhoods throughout the Las Vegas Valley, blast upbeat music, and encourage community members to join the party from their porches, driveways, and windows. With all the stress, uncertainty, and fear the pandemic caused, especially at the beginning, the staff felt a responsibility to try to lift spirits by bringing some fun and physical activity in a safe yet social setting. With Clark County Parks & Recreation centers closed for the (then) foreseeable future, staff created the driveway dance mobile program as an extension of what they do best: offer fulfilling opportunities for the community through diverse experiences.
The Purpose of Honk or Treat was to bridge the gap with three of the County’s largest organizations: Clark County Parks & Recreation, Clark County Fire Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to work together to bring the community a safe, yet fun, mobile caravan event distributing prepackaged bags of candy directly to the valley’s families in a socially-distanced format. Halloween is an important event to children, so the Honk or Treat event was designed to fill a void in our community created by COVID restrictions.
“The pandemic affected our resident’s well-being,” said Commission Chairman Marylin Kirkpatrick. “We wanted to provide opportunities to remind people to take a few moments each day to do something that is fun and takes their mind off of stress.”
“Over the past year, county officials and frontline employees have demonstrated bold, inspirational leadership,” said NACo President Gary Moore. “This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs illustrate the innovative ways counties build healthy, safe and vibrant communities across America.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement, and many more.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
Original source can be found here.
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