A good neighbor comes in many forms.
It may be someone who keeps an eye on your kids when they’re playing outside or someone who pet sits for you when your family is on vacation. Some even go above and beyond to make your community a great place to live by picking up trash in neighborhood parks or volunteering to start youth programs at the local library.
Celebrate the people who make your community thrive by honoring them on National Good Neighbor Day today.
We see it in communities throughout our region.
In the Tri-Cities area, 11 people were honored last week at the 2nd Annual Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Leadership awards ceremony.
In Newark, seven people are now helping police watch over neighborhoods as part of a new citizen patrol program.
In San Leandro last week, residents in the Broadmoor neighborhood saved an escaped parrot from the clutches of a cat.
Earlier this month in San Ramon, volunteers from Special Spaces did a bedroom makeover for a 10-year-old cancer survivor.
In the Tri-Valley, Patch readers last week helped two dogs find new homes.
At Castro Valley High School, students have started a program to recycle the food scraps from their cafeteria lunches.
The concept of National Good Neighbor Day began in the early 1970s when Montana resident Becky Mattson pushed to create a holiday that would recognize people who make their neighborhoods a great place to live.
The annual event became a National Holiday in 2003 when Sen. Max Baucus sponsored resolution naming Sept. 28 National Good Neighbor Day.
Are there people in your community who exemplify being a good neighbor? Today is a good time to tell them that you—and the entire neighborhood—appreciate all they do.
TELL US: Who are the great neighbors in your town? Who makes your town a great place to live? Honor them by sharing your story in the comments section below.
