Night to Unite

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Night to Unite Logo Neighbors gather the first Tuesday of August for Night to Unite, an evening to gather together, get to know one another and promote community safety. This annual event celebrates and strengthens neighborhood and community partnerships.

Minnetonka Night to Unite is sponsored locally by the Minnetonka Police Department and the Minnetonka Crime Prevention Association.

2024 photo contest

ResourceWest Back to School donation contest

2024 Contest Winners

A total of 1,284 school supplies were collected as part of the 2024 Minnetonka Night to Unite Back to School collection drive. Combined with financial contributions, the drive resulted in a $2,262 total donation value from seven neighborhoods.

Top three parties:

Crown Drive/Kingsbury Avenue neighborhood
Diane Drive neighborhood
Forest Hills East neighborhood

Neighborhoods participating in Night to Unite are encouraged to gather school supply donations to benefit ResourceWest’s annual Back to School program.

ResourceWest provides school supplies to help students in the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts to start the school year strong by providing registered students a new backpack filled with basic, grade-specific school supplies. A list of needed supplies is available on the ResourceWest website.

The neighborhood with the largest total donation will win a prize, courtesy the Minnetonka Crime Prevention Association.

Please make arrangements for someone in your neighborhood to deliver the donations to ResourceWest from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.

13231 Minnetonka Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55305

Do not bring donations to the police department or give to city employees.

Resources for hosting a party (flyers, ideas, etc.)

Not sure what to do for your Night to Unite event? Here are some event ideas and helpful tips to make your party a success!

Event flyers

Feel free to download and use these materials to promote your upcoming Night to Unite event.

Event ideas

Food: dessert potluck, favorite snack, root beer floats, make-your-own ice cream sundae, popcorn
Games: BINGO, Neighbor-of-the-Year awards, hula hoop contest, musical chairs, kid parade
Neighbors: Invite a neighboring block that doesn’t have an event planned – it’s a great way to connect with more neighbors and your party may inspire them to host one next year!

Event tips

Ask neighbors to help with the planning, details and tasks, such as set-up and clean-up.
Indicate start and end times; be flexible with the end time if people are having fun!
Provide name tags
Tailor your event to your block. For example, if there are a lot of young children, plan activities that will interest them and their parents
Keep it simple so neighbors can meet and visit
Welcome neighbors, thank them for attending, keep any announcements brief
Plan for bad weather and consider an alternate indoor location (such as a garage) if it rains. The city will visit rain or shine, unless weather is severe.

Guests at your event

Minnetonka’s mayor, city council members and other local elected officials who represent our community may attend Night to Unite events. Neighbors have appreciated this opportunity to speak informally with their elected representatives.

State law requires the city to provide the locations of Night to Unite events to anyone who requests them and the city cannot legally prohibit anyone from attending your event. No other information is provided; host names and contact information are confidential.

This can lead to visits from candidates running for office and others from outside the neighborhood attending Night to Unite events. These visits have typically been very positive, but the property owner may ask any unwelcome guests to leave.