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Wouldn't that be neighborly
The Delaware County Daily Times
Local Life
Sunday, November 3, 2002
Written By Lois Puglionesi
HAVERFORD -- There's
a movement afoot to establish a special day to celebrate neighbors and strengthen
their ties to one another.
"Invite a Neighbor to Dinner Day" is being energetically promoted by Bob
Schultz of Havertown and Jeff
Smith of Doylestown,
who want to make it happen at the community, state and national levels on Jan. 11,
2003, and on the second Saturday in January every year thereafter.
The idea behind "Dinner Day" is simple but profound. "Ask a neighbor
to dinner, perhaps one you have never met, or one you have waved to but have never
taken time to get to know," their flyer reads.
"You don't have to be a gourmet cook.The point is to get together with a neighbor
and get to know each other," said Schultz, 46, a landscape planner for the Lower
Merion School District.
Smith, who owns his own robotic vision systems business, says he got the idea right
after the September 11 attacks when "everyone was looking for a way to make
a difference, and struggling with the question 'what can I do?'"
He says, "I wanted to do something that would bring us back to the foundations
America was built on.In times of trouble, we've always had a kind heart and open
door for our neighbors."
"Dinner Day" is a celebration and reaffirmation of those values.
"It's meant to foster understanding, compassion and tolerance within our neighborhoods,"
Smith says.
He also thinks tightening the neighbor network will "promote safety and security
in our own back yards." Schultz says that recent events have made people fearful,
so it's more important than ever to foster strong community ties.
"This is about community," Schultz says. "It's about accepting neighbors
for who they are. It's about helping and being there for them."
Judging from the response at Haverford Township Day, Schultz is confident "it's
going to happen. People we met were enthralled," he said.
The dynamic duo handed out about 1,000 flyers that were produced by local vendors.
A volunteer is presently hard at work designing a "Dinner Day" Web site.They're
even hoping restaurants and delis will offer discounts on take-out food for host-neighbors
who don't like to cook.
The "Dinner Day" idea is snowballing and recently arrived in Harrisburg.
At Schultz's request, State Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166) introduced a non-controversial
resolution in the House on Tuesday, Oct. 22, proclaiming Jan. 11 "Invite a Neighbor
to Dinner Day."
State Rep. Chuck McIlhenny from Bucks County and U.S. Sen. Joe Conti plan to take
similar steps.
"It's a nice, friendly idea," Vitali said. "I wish him the best.He's
trying to do something good."
Vitali said he expects the resolution to be unanimously approved.
Schultz and Smith met at a leadership and self-expression course last year, where
they were asked to create a community project and guide it to fruition.
Schultz designed a community resource network which is currently active in his neighborhood,
but he was fascinated with Smith's idea and wanted to help him realize it. The second
Saturday in January was chosen because it's after the holidays (but before the Super
Bowl), a time when many people get the blues.
We're also less likely to see our neighbors because we're spending more time indoors."It's
a great way to start the New Year," Smith said.
"Just the invitation to someone will change their world and have a positive
impact on their lives," said Schultz.
Both men say they're committed to the project, but not for glory or fame.
"We just want to see it happen.I want to see this live," Schultz said.
"I've never had extended family nearby.My community has always been my family."
There's an organized "Dinner Day" group that meets regularly and welcomes
volunteers. For more information, go to www.dinnerday.com.
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