City launches summer edition of Mighty Neighbour program

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 17, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman A member of the Downtown BRZ Clean Sweep Program picks up litter Tuesday at the Kinsmen Park. The City is now looking to recognize any residents who make their community better, through the Mighty Neighbour: Super Summer Edition initiative.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The City of Lethbridge has launched its summer version of the Mighty Neighbour initiative called Mighty Neighbour: Super Summer Edition and they are asking residents to take part by sharing stories with them.

Heather Gowland, Transportation Community coordinator with the City of Lethbridge, says the initiative was so successful during the winter edition that they decided to have a summer edition and continue to recognize those residents who make their community better.

“Mighty neighbours is an initiative that is aimed at recognizing and honouring some of the people in our community who do small actions that make a big difference to their neighbourhood,” said Gowland.

She said the initiative began over the winter with a trial version to test the appetite in the community for this type of initiative.

“We had roughly 80 nominations in just a few short months, so people were really excited to talk about the neighbours that they have that are helping them shovel snow and always picking up their dog poop even in the snow,” said Gowland.

She said residents who participated in the initiative also highlighted their neighbours who cleaned out gutters and did other neighbourly things.

“Because it was such a success and the community embraced the initiative, we decided to do another season,” said Gowland.

She explained this initiative is asking people to go online to lethbridge.ca/mighty neighbours and fill up a nomination form to share stories about their neighbours who do neighbourly things.

“We are trying to find the best ways to share those things with the community because they’re very heartwarming stories. We have really good people in this community who are doing some amazing things,” said Gowland.

She explained that this summer, the initiative is focused on those who are cleaning up litter, sparking connections with neighbours in a positive way and continuing to clean up after their pets all year round.

Ashley Walker, Parks community coordinator, said the City is introducing some new mighty neighbour characters during the summer edition.

“We’re introducing Sonny the neighbourhood spark, this is someone who goes above and beyond in helping out, lending a hand to their fellow neighbours maybe bringing connectedness and supporting their neighbourhoods,” said Walker.

She added that they could be neighbours who are hosting events like community garage sales, litter cleanups or block parties, they’re mowing their neighbour’s grass or just going above and beyond to create a really safe and connected neighbourhood.

“We also have Lena the litter legend and this is someone who perhaps takes a walk every morning through their neighbourhood and parks and picks up litter along the way ensuring that the neighbourhood stays really clean and litter free,” said Walker.

She added that is perhaps a neighbour who takes part in the Adopt a Park program, they have adopted their favourite park and they are committed to maintaining and checking on their park through the season and ensuring that it’s taking care of and litter free.

The online nomination form is open now until the end of September. To nominate a Mighty Neighbour, visit http://www.lethbridge.ca/mightyneighbours

Each month a nomination will be drawn and the neighbourly nominee from this entry will receive a small gift of recognition.

For additional ways to get involved in your neighbourhood this summer, visit lethbridge.ca/adoptapark.