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Neighbor Appreciation Day

February 9th, 2008 Marks the 14th Annual Seattle Celebration of Neighbors

Saturday, February 9, 2008 will mark Seattle's fourteenth annual celebration of Neighbor Appreciation Day. The celebration began in 1995, when Phinney Ridge activist Judith Wood suggested that the City designate "a special day to celebrate the goodness in those around us and to reach out and strengthen our bonds to each other." Mayor Norm Rice responded by proclaiming the Saturday before Valentine's Day as Neighbor Appreciation Day. The observance has grown every year since!

Neighbor Appreciation Day is a grassroots celebration. People and organizations throughout Seattle have organized block parties, open houses, award ceremonies, potluck dinners, and work parties to recognize and encourage caring neighbors.

If you plan a special observance, call Peter McGraw at the Department of Neighborhoods, at 615-0950. He will include your event in a special calendar for public officials, the media, and good neighbors throughout Seattle. The deadline for submitting events is January 18th, 2008.

By tradition, we ask Seattle students every year to send us drawings of what they thought it meant to be good neighbors. Some ideas from previous years show neighbors sharing meals, helping with childcare, exchanging plants, or talking over the fence. The artwork has also depicted neighbors working together on a community project, such as building a new playground, painting a mural, or beautifying school or park grounds.

The winner of the contest has their art adorning the thousands of Neighbor Appreciation Day cards available throughout the city prior to the day's events. The free greeting cards will be available at City Hall, the 13 Neighborhood Service Centers, Community Centers, and libraries throughout Seattle.

Second and third place winners are also recognized. The Mayor hands out the awards with the help of the Chair of the Neighborhoods Committee, City Councilmember Sally Clark. Friends and family are always welcome to this event.

For more information, or to order Neighbor Appreciation Day cards, contact Peter McGraw, Public Information Officer, Department of Neighborhoods, at 206-615-0950.