Five Ways to be a Good Neighbor in October

Like those fun Russian nesting dolls, tucked inside each one of our five ways to be a good neighbor tips are even more ideas on how to make your community a much better place. Take a peek, see what ideas pique your interest, and do good!

1. Go Pink: If you're noticing pink ribbons cropping up everywhere, it's because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nonprofits, health groups, government agencies, and businesses are banding together to promote awareness of the disease, raise funds for research, and provide greater access to diagnosis and treatment. Events are taking place all month, like El Camino Hospital's Girls' Night Out on Oct. 23, in Los Gatos, or the TREK Breast Cancer Awareness Ride on Oct. 13, in Los Altos. On Oct. 27 the American Cancer Society is presenting the 5th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, in San Jose. For even more ideas, check out this great Campbell Patch story.

2. Walk On: Speaking of walking, besides the aforementioned breast cancer walk, there are a number of charity walks happening in the Bay Area this month. Consider raising money for a good cause, while at the same time meeting friendly people and getting some exercise along the way. Upcoming charity walks include the Walk for Farm Animals in San Francisco on Oct. 13, promoting compassionate treatment of farm animals, and the Bay Area Walk/Run for Food Allergies in Memory of BJ Hom, also on Oct. 13, in San Jose, to support the Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). On Oct. 14, walkers can support the American Diabetes Association at the Step Out: Walk to End Diabetes, in San Jose. And on Oct. 20, it's the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's, also in San Jose. Keep an eye out for Cupertino's busiest charity walker, Michael Gottwald, who is signed up for both the diabetes and alzheimer's walks, plus many more.

3. Be Festive: Fall seems to bring out the festivals, so take advantage of the chance to make new friends in your community while having a good time. Nearly every city is having some sort of get together this month, either to mark the harvest season, Oktoberfest, the upcoming Halloween holiday, or Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights. In fact, one of the more popular Bay Area Diwali events is right here in Cupertino, on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Memorial Park. And don't miss the Cupertino Carnival that same weekend, at St. Joseph of Cupertino, 10120 N. De Anza Blvd. For other cities, a great source of festival information is the Far Out City website.

Find ways 4 and 5 at the Good Neighbor Stories website! Got a way to be a good neighbor in November? Let us know in the comments section.