When Beverly Windsor turned 70 years old, she sent an e-mail to her neighbors asking them not to bring gifts. Instead, she requested nonperishable food items for the National Night Out 2013 Food Drive.

Windsor was among many neighborhood coordinators collecting canned goods and packaged food items over the weekend. This week, neighbors brought boxes and truck loads of goods to the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center.

Upon arrival, Sherry Chaney from the Westwood Terrace Neighborhood Association told officers, "My neighbors were excited to help. I am amazed by the terrific response."

NNO Event Coordinator Curtice Ervin said this year's community celebration "promotes the grassroots spirit of neighbors helping neighbors."

The first seventy-five National Night Out neighborhoods to register their event and donate non-perishable food items received a complimentary NNO Party package. Each party package included a banner, T-shirts and ball caps. Some of the registrants also received NNO barbecue aprons.

The beneficiary, Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, expressed their appreciation.

"We are especially grateful," said Director Tillie Burgin who helped to unload the items. "... Just in time for the holidays."

Last year, Mission Arlington served more than 5,000 families on Thanksgiving Day.

Across the city, neighborhoods are getting ready for National Night Out. Visit www.ArlingtonPd.org and click on the NNO logo for everything you need to get started.