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. In San Mateo County InnVision Shelter Network works to serve and house hundreds of homeless people, and could use both donations and volunteers.

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 along the region’s many creeks, picking up trash and making shorelines both safe for wildlife and beautiful to look at. There are more than 30 locations alone in San Mateo County. See the county's water pollution prevention website for a list of locations and more info.