A few events over the summer have exemplified mutual support between law enforcement organizations and residents in the Heart of Virginia.

One such event brought together members of Cumberland law enforcement and the Cumberland Girl Scouts from troops 5201 and 130.

The Daisy-, Brownie- and Junior-level girls ranging from Kindergarten through fifth grade painted kindhearted phrases on rocks and hid them around the area. Once found, people bring the rocks to the nearest police office, give them to an officer and thank the officer for his or her service.

It’s a gift that keeps on giving: area youth got to present original artwork, which in turn could brighten the day of an officer.

Cumberland Sheriff Darrell Hodges, in an earlier report by Morgan White of The Herald, described the activity for the scouts as something that was “let(ting) them see us in a different light other than just a person that writes Mom and Dad a ticket or is out here working an accident. …”

Community members and law enforcement will have another chance to come together Aug. 1. National Night Out 2017, part of a nationwide initiative to prevent crime, encourages people to host parties in their blocks. Local law enforcement members, partnering with McGruff, the crime dog, will visit the parties. Farmville, according to a press release, held eight events in neighborhoods across town last year and earned 18th place nationally in areas with a population of 15,000 or less.

Members of the community and law enforcement members have demonstrated creative and engaging ways to connect with one another. It’s vitally important to see people beyond a name on a sheet of paper or a uniform.

I commend the Cumberland Girl Scouts, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and all involved with National Night Out for doing just this.

Emily Hollingsworth is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@FarmvilleHerald.com.