Nominate a Mat-Su Valley Good Neighbor

In some parts of the United States, communities, schools and other organizations are beginning to organize National Good Neighbor Day celebrations.

In fact, we like the idea so much, we’d like to see it adopted as a local tradition as a way to recognize and encourage what’s best about the Mat-Su Valley.

This is where we choose to live, where we choose to raise our families and bury our dead. We’re proud to call the Mat-Su Valley home. But our population doubles and doubles again as the decades pass, we all likely know fewer of our neighbors, good or bad.

Through all the growth and change the Mat-Su Valley has experienced, the hallmark of life here remains the same — we help each other.

If your car breaks down on the side of the road, someone will always stop to help. If your family runs into financial trouble and needs help with medical bills, our neighbors will organize fundraisers on your behalf. In one instance, we watched and cheered as our neighbors came together to build a house for a local family.

It won’t be hard to find good neighbors in the Mat-Su Valley, but selecting just one from among the many great Valley neighbors is a challenge we can’t complete without your help.

Do you know someone who goes the extra mile as a volunteer? Do you know an unsung hero who should be honored for what he or she does to make the Valley better and better?

We will accept nominations through Sept. 17 and honor the winner at a reception on National Good Neighbor Day, Sept. 28.

Nominees must be current residents of the Mat-Su Borough, may not receive financial compensation for their good deeds and actions must have occurred from May 1, 2011 through Sept. 17, 2012.

Nominees may be of any age and background; anyone who has made a positive difference in the community. Nominations will be accepted for individuals, organizations and businesses. Only one nomination per person is allowed in each category.

To make a nomination, tell us in 500 words or less why your nominee should be recognized as a good neighbor. Email nominations to news@frontiersman.com.

So put on your thinking caps and send in your nominations for which businesses, organizations and individuals you think should be honored as the 2012 Mat-Su Valley Good Neighbor.

And most of all, thank you to the good neighbors who bend their backs and give of their own time to make the Mat-Su Valley a place we’re proud to call home.