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Good Neighbors



File this under “Things I learn from the good folks at Oakland Mills Community Association” - - yesterday was National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day. 




Today is National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day!

Let's build stronger communities through small acts of kindness. Here are some ideas:

  • Say "Hello"
  • Help with yard work
  • Give a compliment
  • Share a treat

Even small acts can go a long way!

I did not know about National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day. Apparently it was founded in 2009 by a man named Starr Valentino from Buffalo, New York. 

I don’t know if it counts, but I did participate in my Buy Nothing Groups Free Yard Sale yesterday. I brought a few books to add to the giveaway, and I picked out a few treasures for myself. 

Assorted stencils/straight edges:


An awesome and completely new, unused art book:


And an embroidered felt Christmas ornament.


If you are wondering why I need a W…I don’t. But creative reuse means I can turn it upside down and switch the thread for hanging it.



We do have plenty of M folks at our house. Or it could stand for “Merry”. Anyway, I liked it.

Cool points should be awarded to the gentleman who was circulating through the event exhorting those present to “shop, shop, shop” and reminding them that there would be “no tax on purchases.” I have a feeling that it was his house and he was hoping to avoid dealing with a lot of leftover.

I do think that Buy Nothing is a significant way to do something good for your neighbor and allow them to do something good for you. It’s not charity. It’s mutual aid. 

Another thing I learned from the Oakland Mills Community Association this week is that they are working on education and outreach.



What does the OM Village Board do for you?


So you live in Oakland Mills. You pay the Columbia Association assessment fee. You see that your fee is going into great services like Open Space and events. But what exactly does your village board do for you?

I think this is a brilliant response to the current turmoil in CA Board “politics.” Many folks who are generally uninvolved in their Village happenings are confused and perhaps upset by what they are reading online and in news reports. Most of them don’t really know how all this works. That makes it difficult for them to come to any sort of informed opinion.

If you want to know what a Village Board does, this post by OMCA is clear and comprehensive. You can find it on Facebook and Instagram. While certain details may vary from Village to Village, I think it’s a good jumping off point for anyone new to the topic.

In the meantime, if you are sad that you missed National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day, fear not. It turns out that there’s also a National Good Neighbor Day on September 28th. 

What are some things a neighbor has done for you that felt good/made you feel more connected? Let me know. Receiving small kindnesses is every bit as important as giving them. 


Village Green/Town² Comments 




Comments

  1. Julia A. McCreadyMay 17, 2026 at 4:31 AM

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