As the website I Live Here, I Give Here compels us to increase contributions to charities, I would like to ask you to become involved in your neighborhood.

While supporting charities is rewarding, getting involved with real neighbors to work on real problems where you live can make real changes happen for you and your family.

Most of us have never known what it feels like to be part of an active community.

We have seen close communities from movies like “Its a Wonderful Life” (watch last 9 minutes). George Bailey hits bottom and finds his community there to help when he needs it. This is no Hollywood fairy tale. Real communities can create bonds to help them endure hardship together. But communities are dependent upon the activity of their members, so to be involved you need to be active.

What would your ideal community be like?

What events would there be?  What improvements could you accomplish together? Your answers should be voiced to your neighbors, to get their opinions. Starting such conversations helps locate those who may join your group.

Don’t know your neighbors?  Spend some time in the yard when they are outside. Say hello and wave.  Make the effort to get to know who they are. Perhaps you can swap recipes or gardening tips, or alternate rides to school.

Dreaming your ideal community is the first step to building it. Meeting and becoming comfortable with your neighbors is the second.  Consider offering a specific time when you will be available to discuss neighborhood issues, like Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4pm, then spend that time outdoors and visible. This makes it easy for your neighbors to come out and talk, without feeling they are intruding on your busy schedule.

If you live in the Austin area, please join in the efforts of  I Live Here, I Give Here, improving lives in Central Texas.  Then make a point to get to know your neighbors.

Make a point to get to know your neighbors. The holidays are a perfect time to begin because everyone is in a festive mood.

I hope this article gave you ideas about how you can improve your own neighborhood. Let me know your progress. Happy Holidays.

My holiday wish for you is Good News. I look forward to every issue of Yes Magazine, an inexpensive magazine of nothing but good news. Very refreshing!

– Mary Luketich

“Even in these times, there are still neighbors that will turn their backs on neighbors. ”
Wynton Marsalis