Let That Good Neighbor Know How You Feel

Do you look forward to a knock on your door, knowing it’s probably your neighbor stopping by to visit?

Does that neighbor inevitably offer to help with something that’s been nagging you? The growing grass? The broken fence? Your dwindling pile of firewood?

If so, take note.

The Valley Voice is inviting nominations for our 11th annual Good Neighbor Contest.

You know your neighbor deserves the recognition.

“I really appreciated that the neighbors cared enough about me to put me in,” said Gene Merrithew, a past winner of the Good Neighbor Contest. “It made the neighborhood a little closer as a group, gave us another chance to get together, share food and have a good neighborhood time.

Merrithew was honored for serving as the informal town crier. When Merrithew takes his nightly walks as Block Watch representative, he takes time to visit with his neighbors and share information. He also organizes garage sales, summer barbecues and Christmas parties.

“He makes sitting out on the front porch fun,” neighbor Karen Marshall said.

Certainly you know someone whose thoughtfulness and energy rivals Merrithew’s.

If so, grab your pen and write a 250-word letter explaining why your neighbor tops the charts. Remember to include concrete examples of their good deeds, with all the details you can think of.

We’re looking for people who show a deep commitment to nurturing a sense of community in their neighborhood. People like Bob and Joan Hilton, honored in part because they bring their neighborhood together by throwing welcoming parties for every new family on the block.

Or people like Dorothy and Morrie Silvey, who take care of tasks that prove difficult for some of their elderly neighbors.

Don’t worry if you’re not a Shakespeare. If the words come from your heart, they’re sure to capture your neighbor’s grace.

Just make sure your entry is in our hands by the end of the day on Wednesday, July 26.

Then, with the help of good neighbors from years gone by, we’ll choose one winner each from a North Side, South Side and Valley neighborhood.

All winners will be honored with an engraved plaque and a catered block party. Plus, we’ll publish a cover story in the Voice to help everyone get to know your good neighbor.

So don’t delay. Let your neighbor know how much they’re appreciated.

Need a little inspiration? Here’s an excerpt from the letter nominating last year’s Valley winners, Morrie and Dorothy Silvey:

“Every Thursday for 12 years Dorothy took Mrs. T. to the grocery store, since she was unable to drive herself. When one of the other neighbor ladies, Mrs. B., began to lose her eyesight Dorothy would once a month pay her bills for her and balance her checkbook.

“Then there is Mrs. D. across the street that needs help with many of the little things. Maurice and Dorothy help her with changing light bulbs, taking out the garbage and getting the mail so she doesn’t have to cross the street.

“I sincerely hope you would consider Maurice and Dorothy Silvey for your Good Neighbor award.”

This sidebar appeared with the story:

GOOD NEIGHBOR

How to nominate

To nominate your Good Neighbor, send your letter to: Good Neighbor Contest, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-2160. You can e-mail your nomination to goodneighbor@spokesman.com., or you can drop off your nomination at The Spokesman-Review’s Valley office, 13208 E. Sprague. Nominations must be turned in by July 26.