Five Ways to be a Good Neighbor in September

Summer vacation is over and the rush into fall has officially begun. Before you rush ahead too far, consider carving out a little time to help others around you this month. Use one or more of our five suggestions below as a way to get started. Have more suggestions? Tell us in the comments section!

1. Help the Homeless: Cuts to Section 8 housing vouchers this month and sky high housing costs will most likely throw some Bay Area neighbors into homelessness, and will definitely keep those who are already homeless, and want to be housed, on the streets. Consider helping an organization in your community that is making significant progress in working to house people. Housing 1000 is a community campaign in the Silicon Valley that has been working the past two years to house 1,000 people by the end of 2013. As of July the campaign is still more than 50 percent away from that goal, but the efforts continue. You can help by visiting the Housing One website, where you can see stories of people Housing 1000 is helping and donate either toward specific clients, or more generally to the organization. For a sobering look at what we’re up against in the fight against homelessness in the Silicon Valley, see the Business Insider’s recent special report on the issue.

2. Volunteer in Honor of 9/11: Sept. 11 was declared a National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009 to honor the fallen from the tragic events of 2001, and once again HandsOn Bay Area is planning an annual week of service called “9/11: From Remembrance to Change”. There are more than 25 projects to choose from, with most of the projects happening either Sunday, Sept. 8, or Saturday, Sept. 14, and several more happening during the week.  A calendar provides all the details of when and where projects are happening, as well as how to sign-up in advance.

3. Cleanup the Coast or Nearby Waterway: California Coastal Cleanup day is Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. Join thousands of residents at the beach, along the San Francisco Bay, or at one of the many creeks in the region  picking up trash and making shorelines both safe for wildlife and beautiful to look at. In Cupertino the Creek Connections Action Group is looking for 80 volunteers to cleanup Calabazas and Regnart Creeks. But sign up early to secure your spot. See the group's website to find out more.

To find out the #4 and #5 ways to be a good neighbor (including support of the Stevens Creek Trail) see the Good Neighbor Stories website.