Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society Volunteer Appreciation dinner and fundraiser
01
2010
I was honored to be present at the Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society volunteer appreciation dinner and fundraiser where I was given an opportunity to talk about good neighbours.
Neighbourhood watch is a not-for-profit, charitable, volunteer, crime prevention organization. It has been around for over 28 years and in that time has improved the quality of life within all Edmonton communities through the fostering of an educational and cooperative crime prevention program, at the neighbourhood level by working to encourage awareness and participation. This dinner and fundraiser was an event to honor those who give of themselves and their time to make Edmonton a better place.
Part of the process of building safe communities is challenging ourselves to be good neighbours. I was pleased to be part of the Good Neighbour Awards launch in City Hall on February 2nd. I want to remind everyone that nominations are still open till March 15th.
What I really like about this program is the fact that it allows the public to celebrate the unsung heroes in their community. Anyone can nominate a Good Neighbour.
The program is now in its third year, and has helped bring recognition to hundreds of people who help make our neighbourhoods and our city more liveable for everyone. Good Neighbour Award winners look out for each other. They respect each other’s space but will offer help when needed and offer advice when asked. They pull together to get things done, and they can offer help in big ways and in small ways to do it. It’s important to realize that we should remember to recognize these contributions whenever we notice them not just once a year.
Edmontonians have an easy, free and colourful way to say "thank you" to those who make our communities safe and more connected. It’s called a Good Neighbour Card, and it’s available at:
- City recreation centres;
- Public library branches; and
- Police stations
We can all think of at least one person who deserves a thank you for something they did that brightened our day. Making our city safer is a day-by-day process. Edmontonians contribute to a safer city each day with their thoughtfulness and what may seem like insignificant actions. They may not even realize that those small things are making their neighbourhood a better place to live. We can get involved with Neighbourhood Watch… and we can join our community league. We can keep our property clean and secure, or turn our porch lights on at night to deter crime.
But the most important part of being a good neighbour is getting to know the people who live nearby, getting out and meeting others in your community. That could mean introducing yourself to other parents at a local hockey arena, or shovelling snow for the elderly man on your street who has trouble getting up and down his front steps.
There are so many ways to reach out to people and it’s those personal connections that make a community strong. It’s those connections that allow neighbours to call police when they see activity around your house when they know you’re away. It’s those connections that allow us to look out for each other’s kids at the playground or come together to support someone who’s experienced pain or trauma.
Those connections make our city more resilient, and more human. They build community pride that naturally deters criminal activity. It’s being a good neighbour that makes Edmonton an amazing city. Large enough to offer many benefits, and small enough to feel like a welcoming place to live.
I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to organize the Edmonton Watch volunteer appreciation dinner and fundraiser and all the volunteers from the Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society. You are all good neighbours, and great examples to our entire city.
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