Won't you be my neighbor?
The Intelligencers
More Stuff
October 20, 2002
Written By Steve Wartenberg
I may have witnessed the start of something really, really big.
Then again ...
But, I have faith in the power of the people, especially dedicated people working
for a good cause.
"It's not a question of whether it will happen," one of the dedicated people
said. "It will happen because we've declared it will happen."
What will happen is Invite A Neighbor To Dinner Day, the light-bulb-over-the-head
idea of the Smith family ÷Jeff and Barbara and
their kids, Josh, 17, and Jeremy, 11.
The first Invite A Neighbor To Dinner Day will be Jan. 11, 2003.
The idea came to the Smiths, who live in Doylestown Township, after 9/11. They wanted
to do something, anything, to bring people together and bring a little sanity to
a suddenly insane world.
Why not start right here, in our neighborhood?
"Ask a neighbor you've never met, or one you've waved at but never taken the
time to get to know. Mend a fence, or just take a little time to break some bread."
It doesn't sound like much. Then again, imagine millions of people, all over America,
doing the same thing.
Most of us have neighbors we've nodded hello to for the past several years (decades?)
whom we don't really know and will probably never get to know.
It's a sad statement on our modern, isolated culture.
"Hey, what's your name? Can you and what's her name come over to dinner on Jan.
11?"
"Thanks, whatever your name is ÷we'll be there."
On Monday, I was at the Smiths' house with some of their neighbors and friends for
an Invite A Neighbor To Dinner Day planning meeting.
Jeff opened the meeting by saying the state legislature proclamation/citation thing
looks good and should be in place before Thanksgiving.
Nobody knew exactly what a proclamation/citation meant, if it carries any weight
or is just window dressing. However, everyone agreed it sounds official.
"We need a logo," someone said.
Something simple, something that will convey Americana, getting back to basic values,
food, family.
"Before we move forward," someone said, "we need to get down exactly
what it is we want to accomplish ÷so everyone has the same understanding."
After everyone tossed around some ideas, Jeff volunteered to "wordsmith"
something up and e-mail it around for feedback.
The Web site.
We need to improve the Web site (www.dinnerday.com).
Josh said he had a lead on a new Web page design company and would ask them to volunteer
their services.
"We need a slogan," someone said.
"Build Bridges, Knock Down Fences" was the working model everyone agreed
upon.
Josh said he'll work with local kindergarten students and get them to design cards
they can take home to their parents, who in turn can use them to invite neighbors
over to dinner.
Publicity.
We need to be ready when "Good Morning America" and "Time" call.
"I don't mean to be a wet blanket," someone said, "but January 11
is soon."
And on and on it went.
There's tons of stuff to do to organize and get one of these things off the ground.
But these crazy kids are confident.
"Don't forget about me when you're famous and being interviewed on TV,"
I said at the end of the meeting.
"You'll have to tune into 'Good Morning America' to hear us ÷you'll be
nothing to us," Josh joked.
At least I hope he was joking.
More Stuff appears every Sunday. You can write me at: 333 N. Broad St., Doylestown,
PA 18901, or e-mail me at: swartenberg@phillyburbs.com. |
