It’s time to shake off the winter blues and embrace the warmth of community spirit. This year, we are using our annual Neighbor Day recognition to kick off a two-week, city-wide movement culminating with the One Seattle Day of Service. This campaign for community engagement is focused on spreading joy, fostering connections, and learning more about what’s happening in neighborhoods across the city. Join us from May 4 to 18 as we unite to Spring Into Service!
Neighbor Day – May 4: Neighbor Day began in 1995 as a proclamation from Mayor Norm Rice as “a special day to celebrate the goodness in those around us and to reach out and strengthen our bond to each other.” Each year, we encourage people to use Neighbor Day as inspiration to connect with their neighbors and indulge in random acts of kindness.
Whether it’s a friendly chat over the fence, a small gesture of appreciation, or organizing a neighborhood potluck, these small actions can make a big difference. Need a little altruistic inspiration? Check out our Easy Acts of Kindness list!
Two Weeks of Community Discovery and Service: From May 4 to May 18, we invite you to embark on a journey of compassion, exploration, and goodwill. Whether it’s lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, visiting a new park or landmark, or learning more about a community organization, we want you to use this time to discover the wonderful ways people in Seattle are working to spread joy and hold each other up.
Follow us on social media for daily ideas on how to get out and discover great things happening in your community! Share your outings and acts of kindness with us using the hashtags #SpringIntoService and #NeighborDay. You can also email photos, stories, and kudos of your acts of kindness to: DON_Communications@seattle.gov.
Facebook: @SeattleNeighborhoods
Instagram: @seattle_neighborhoods
Twitter: @seaneighborhoods
Hashtags: #NeighborDay #SpringIntoAction
One Seattle Day of Service – May 18th: As the conclusion of our campaign, join us for the One Seattle Day of Service! Partnering with a diverse group of public, private, and non-profit partners and community organizations across the city, the One Seattle Day of Service provides ample opportunities to give back through a wide array of volunteer activities and events. In partnership with Mayor Harrell’s office, we’re rallying volunteers in service projects aimed at making a positive impact in our local communities. Registration is now open for volunteer shifts at events throughout Seattle.
Easy Acts of Kindness
Neighbor Day provides the perfect opportunity to de-stress and reconnect with neighbors, friends, and communities through small acts of generosity. Here are just a few ideas:
- Commit to volunteering on One Seattle Day of Service.
- Drop flowers or a kind note at a neighbor’s mailbox/walkway.
- Host a neighborhood potluck.
- Buy and deliver groceries for a neighbor in need.
- Organize a game, sporting event, block party, or group art project.
- Have a neighborhood treasure hunt.
- Start a Neighborhood Joy Board or outdoor art gallery.
- Help neighbors that are homebound with yard work/weeding.
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup effort.
- Cook a meal or make a treat for your neighbors.
- Donate materials to or create a Little Free Pantry or Little Free Library in your neighborhood.
- Organize a food drive for your local food bank.
