You made it happen, now let’s make it count!

Dear Parents, Colleagues, and Friends,

After a summer full of celebrating our country’s 250th, our American Summer challenge has come to an end. I have to tell you, it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.

Over the past few months, I’ve heard from so many of you about the gatherings happening on your streets, with chairs pulled together, coolers filled with popsicles, and kids playing freely. Now, you have neighbors whom you can wave to and call by name, and a group chat that’s just getting started.

So many of you put down your phones, created a space for neighbors to come, and built a community in your neighborhood. That’s what Block Party USA is all about. In a season when so many people are feeling lonely and disconnected, you gave your neighbors a reason to come outside and a place to belong.

Now I need one small favor to make sure your gathering counts.

If you hosted a block party, a driveway hangout, a cul-de-sac cookout, or a courtyard get-together anytime this summer, please register it at blockpartyusa.org/register-now before Friday, October 16th.

Every registration counts toward our goal of 250 block parties in every state for America's 250th. Registering takes just a few minutes and helps us share the true story of what neighbors accomplished together this summer.

Thank you for saying yes to your neighbors this summer. You reminded me, and so many others, that the answer to so much of what ails us is right outside our front doors. 

And if you haven’t yet hosted your micro-local gathering, it’s never too late! I have my next Zoom Office Hours on Friday, October 23 from 12:00-12:30pm ET, and I would love to help you organize the details to make it happen. 

While you can sign up at blockpartyusa.org/office-hours for reminders, you can just show up, too, by clicking here or using the Meeting ID: 820 0975 1912. 

Fall is an amazing time to start building the community you’ve been longing for. Your neighbors want it, too!

PS: If you have any photos or videos from your neighborhood gathering that we could share, we'd love for you to send them to info@blockpartyusa.org!