Got Good Neighbors? Celebrate Them

A good neighbor comes in many forms, and today, Sept. 28, is National Good Neighbor Day, a chance to celebrate the people who make your community thrive by honoring them.

In a west Novato subdivision, neighbors are rallying around the Ratliff family because of a tragedy that took place Thursday. Already there is a list circulating to provide meals to the Ratliffs has they mourn and try to return to a normal life. They've only lived in town for a few months, but bonds were quickly formed, and now those bonds will be put to the test.

On a more general scale, a great neighbor might 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. It could be the dad who never fails to pick up your daughter on his way to taking his to soccer practice or the bike nut who happily takes a a look at your son's bike that needs a fix.

Some even go above and beyond to make our town a great place to live by picking up trash in neighborhood parks or volunteering to start youth programs at the library.

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 U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) sponsored a 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. 

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