CARING NEIGHBOR DAY

 PROPOSED INITIATIVE BY THE CARING NEIGHBOR FOUNDATION TO ADVOCATE FOR AN ANNUAL NATIONAL CARING NEIGHBOR HOLIDAY

RATIONALE

The Grand Ledge City Council in Michigan readily proclaimed in 2013 an annual Caring Neighbor Day when requested by the Caring Neighbor Foundation (CNF); Eaton County Commission did the same the following year and the State of Michigan did so the next year (download Proclamation at http://caring-neighbor.com). It is  very likely the President of the United States would do likewise for the nation if a proposal to do so reached him.  

A national holiday is long overdue celebrating the millions of neighbors who ask no return for their caring efforts, much like we celebrate the contribution of mothers, fathers, veterans, presidents and others with a special holiday.

A Caring Neighbor holiday is especially timely today in a country badly divided by many factors including political, religious, economic, racial, to name a few.

This initiative is a logical follow up to years of effort by the CNF to develop a culture of caring locally as a way of balancing an overpowering  culture of competition that often  spills over into violence.

Social scientists have long shown that humans are hard wired to care for self, neighbor, community and environment; though hard wired, fostering the will to engage in caring is needed to utilize this under appreciated gift.

Everyone loves a holiday that celebrates what is important to the whole community such as one leading to making a special effort in caring thus creating a ripple effect that elevates the culture of caring in the nation and beyond.

HISTORY OF CARING NEIGHBOR DAY CELEGRATION

The realization of a caring neighbor as the basis of community and good government led to the establishment of an annual Caring Neighbor Day by the Michigan governor. There are many caring neighbors whose kindness go unnoticed. A special day in their honor encourages many others to see caring as the path to our humanity.

A special Caring Neighbor Day is celebrated each year to highlight the role of government in promoting cooperation and fair competition. Government is simply an extension of those governed; caring and cooperation among neighbors is the basis of good government.

The Mayor of Grand Ledge, Michigan, began an annual Caring Neighbor Day for the people of the city in 2008.

Download: Grand Ledge Proclmation

CARING NEIGHBOR DAY

The involvement of government in promoting caring as the way forward was the result of grass root efforts.

The establishment of an annual national and world Caring Neighbor Day will go a long way to healing a divided government and world. This will not happen top down but by a neighbor who cares.