“You never know how good your support group is until you have to lean on them.”

WENDY

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

I think a good neighbor is kind and thoughtful and considerate.

What is the one act of kindness that Debbie did for you that you will never, ever forget?

Well, as I always say, you never know how good your support group is until you have to lean on them. I learned that mine is very strong and I am truly blessed with many good friends.

Debbie has always been a good friend. She is always very thoughtful. As the mother of five sons, Debbie has a very busy life and I try not to expect too much of her with regard to her time. But when my tests first started looking off, she was the first person I called. When I had surgery, she and another friend set up a calendar for people to bring us food. When I was having chemo, she took most of her day, driving long distances to sit with me twice in the hospital for my chemo infusions. And she called me almost every day for months to check in with me. So I would say the one thing Debbie gave me that I will never ever forget, was the gift of her time, which is so precious.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Rewarding. You get what you give.

DEBBIE

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

A good neighbor is someone you want to share the good and the bad with, and who wants to be there for you in both. They are reliable, understanding, compassionate, and honest. Wendy is all of that and more.

What is the one act of kindness that Wendy did for you that you will never, ever forget?

Being at the birth of two of my children.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Gratifying.

“While it DOES take a village, it also takes the neighbors.”

TERI

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

For me, the qualities of a good neighbor are kindness, accessibility, and boundaries. I think we’ve all heard the saying that “Good fences make good neighbors.” Why is this true? I don’t want my dog to poop in your yard or yours in mine. I don’t want to see into your windows and I don’t want to hear your intimate conversations. Ray and I are 3 houses apart but we have good boundaries and yet, he’s there for me. A phone call or drop-by, if I need help, I know I can ask. So it’s that beautiful and respectful balance of accessibility and boundaries that make this work — this neighboring thing.

What is the one act of kindness that Ray did for you that you will never, ever forget?

Hard to name just one thing Ray has done, and there have been so many. Recently, the rescue at the car wash when the AAA phone system was down; Ray was pretty heroic. But the most meaningful action was long ago, back when my son, now a good and kind man, was just a young pup and testing his thugly-edges. Spray paint may have been involved. Thankfully, Ray never divulged the details, just that he had to school my young man about how to behave on the street. While it DOES take a village, it also takes the neighbors. Parenting is not a solo sport.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Solid.

RAY

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

Trust and friendship. And that they can always count on you to be there, if needed.

What is the one act of kindness that Teri did for you that you will never, ever forget?

She moved into our neighborhood and raised a great son. She is also a great cook and baker, yummy.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Friendship.

“A good neighbor is open to your visits and is supportive of your endeavors.”

RAY

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

I like how we check in with each other, if just for a quick hello and what’s for dinner, or sometimes for brainstorming, or often just some hot gossip about goings-on in the neighborhood. A good neighbor is open to your visits and is supportive of your endeavors.

What is the one act of kindness that Jennifer did for you that you will never, ever forget?

When I was fighting city hall on proposals that I felt were harmful to my business, Jennifer came out to speak on our behalf. That has always meant so much — that she would take the time and put herself under scrutiny and anxiety to show her support. She’s always has my back!

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Supportive.

JENNIFER

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

A good neighbor is someone you can count on — for advice, support, mutual aid, whatever! A good neighbor is someone you can trust and who has your back.

What is the one act of kindness that Ray did for you that you will never, ever forget?

I’m going with his most recent act of kindness, the Six Foot Social Club. At a time when his own business was slammed dealing with all the pandemic-induced changes, Ray started selling t-shirts to raise money for other small businesses in our neighborhood that weren’t able to be open. And he’s raised over $20,000 for the Six Foot Social Club — phenomenal!

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Community.

“Camaraderie.”

ANCA

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

What is the one act of kindness that Tim did for you that you will never, ever forget?

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

TIM

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

Being respectful and mindful are the most important qualities of a good neighbor. Being friendly is also a nice quality, but I don’t believe someone has to be friendly or inviting to be a good neighbor.

What is the one act of kindness that Anca did for you that you will never, ever forget?

My dog was hit and killed by a car in the neighborhood. Anca brought him to my work for me to see him one last time.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Camaraderie.

“We created an understanding that we’re in this together. That has to be the best neighbor ever to have!”

HEINZ

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

I have lived in my house for 50 years and had several neighbours over the years, but none can compare to Estevan. He was very friendly from the first day, always helpful, very loving, an excellent cook and I knew I could always rely on him no matter what the situation was. In other words I felt safe.

What is the one act of kindness that Estevan did for you that you will never, ever forget?

How he helped me to bare the sadness and pain on my mothers death and soon thereafter the deaths of my uncles and aunts. It all happened within a 12 month period.

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

Contentment.

ESTEVAN

What are qualities that you believe make up a good neighbor?

First of all, a good neighbor is one that makes you feel welcome the first time you move into a new neighborhood. Heinz did just that when I first met him March 16, 1995. Immediately, I knew he was going to be part of my life the rest of my life. Mutual respect and keeping an eye out for each other are great qualities. Heinz is always there for anything I may need and vice versa for him. We created an understanding that we’re in this together. That has to be the best neighbor ever to have!

What is the one act of kindness that Heinz did for you that you will never, ever forget?

That’s a hard question because there are hundreds of answers I can list. One that sticks out in my mind is when he came with me to my father’s death bed and stayed by my side. My father’s wife spoke only Spanish and my Spanish is very broken, so it was comforting to have him there for any translating. Plus, knowing that he cared that much to be there, even in a sad moment of life. He made it so much easier for me to go through the process of losing my father. This is something I will never forget!

What is one word that sums up what it feels like to be a good neighbor?

HERO.