Good Neighbors It’s Time To Recognize All Those Folks For The Good Deeds They Perform

We’re looking for a good neighbor.

It could be the fellow who volunteers to mow your mom’s lawn. Or the woman who watches your kids when you’re in a jam. Or the person who unfailingly shares his home-grown tomatoes or his freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies with everyone on the block.

Everyone has a good neighbor, so here’s a chance to give yours a little community credit.

The Spokesman-Review is sponsoring its eighth annual Good Neighbor contest. We’re looking for those neighborly folks who put kindness and generosity into action.

Tell us, in 250 words or less, how your neighbor is most neighborly. When writing, remember that good neighbors are those people who regularly give their time and service to others. They’re people who consistently display care for their community, rather than just giving cash. We’re searching for those heroes and heroines who help out on rainy and sunny days alike.

As you’re writing about your neighbor, be sure to describe the specific ways in which they make a difference. Rather than generalizing, tell us exactly how your neighbor contributes. Talk about the distinct impact that person has in your neighborhood. Give examples.

If you nominated your neighbor last year and he or she didn’t win, give it another try. Good neighbors are perennial, so tell us how they’ve made a difference, year after year, in your neighborhood. We want details.

As always, the Good Neighbor winner will be honored by The Spokesman-Review with a beautiful plaque and a profile in the Valley Voice. Plus, we’ll throw a catered block party for the whole neighborhood.

So nominate your good neighbor. All entries must be received by July 14. Winners will be announced in the Voice on July 31.

If you’re not much of a writer, don’t worry. Just speak from the heart. Here are a few tips to get the creative juices flowing:

Think about a few specific instances where your neighbor made a positive impact, and describe those moments.

Avoid long introductions in your nomination letter. You have only 250 words. Use every word to describe the contributions your neighbor has made.

Before writing, make a list of everything your neighbor has done for you, for other neighbors and for the neighborhood and a whole.

Introduce your neighbor by looking back. What were his or her greatest contributions in the past year? Five years?

Talk to other people in your neighborhood about your nominee. Note their impressions when writing your letter.

Picture your neighbor’s actions vividly in your mind. It will help the writing process.

Your nomination letter will be one of many considered by the judges. If your neighbor is the best, then write a letter that stands apart.

Be sure to mail your letter well before the deadline.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 3 Photos

MEMO: The identical story ran in the North Side Voice and the South Side Voice, except for the mention of the voice in which the profile will appear. The North Side Voice story ran under the headline: Good Neighbor It’s time to recognize all those folks for the good deeds they perform for the community The South Side Voice story ran under the headline: Good Neighbor contest will honor helpful residents \ Winners to receive plaque, block party

This sidebar appeared with the story: NOMINATE YOUR NEIGHBOR “Won’t you share your neighbors?” Tell us who you think should be the winner of the 1997 Good Neighbor contest. Write a letter of no more than 250 words. Give us lots of examples describing how your neighbor helps make your neighborhood a better place to live. Send it to: Good Neighbor contest, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615. All entries must be received by July 14. Winners will be announced in the Voice on July 31.