GRNW "Good Neighbor" Program Building A Better, Safer Garfield Ridge for Everyone

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post


As you may recall from the story we posted back in May, the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch (GRNW) organization has expanded beyond its original crime prevention work to include assisting neighbors in need.

http://www.swchicagopost.com/2012/05/garfield-ridge-neighborhood-watch.html

Monday, May 7, 2012

In the video that accompanied the story, GRNW members were attempting to contact a local homeowner whose severely dilapidated back fence was in need of demolition and rebuilding. Several neighbors had complained to the alderman's office about the situation; but rather than see the elderly homeowner slapped with citations and fines, GRNW members stepped in with a positive approach---an offer to assist her with donated materials and labor.




And then in our update on the story, posted in July...

http://www.swchicagopost.com/2012/07/grnw-volunteers-put-good-neighbor-words.html

Sunday, July 22, 2012

...we noted that the GRNW succeeded in reaching the homeowner and received her consent (and immense gratitude) to start the work---which they did. And on a Sunday evening, a half dozen unpaid volunteers---six of the very best people you'll find in Garfield Ridge or anywhere in Chicago---showed up to remove the fence and other rotted materials attached to the carport, trim overgrown weeds and ready the debris for hauling away by Streets and San.





Here's the latest. A crew of volunteer tradesmen and others showed up at about 9:00 a.m. today (Saturday, August 25)---and despite being pounded by the sun in near-record heat---spent several hours rebuilding the fence and carport.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

As you might imagine, the elderly woman who owns the home---who is receiving everything free of charge---was again overflowing in her praise, sounding like a human thesaurus in her description of the GRNW and the volunteers: awesome, amazing, magnificent were just a few of the adjectives she used repeatedly to express her gratitude.

A few things remain to be done---like adding a gate and installing tar paper and shingles on the roof of the carport---and they will be done in the days ahead.

All labor involved in this effort has been donated; and the materials were paid for through the generosity of Richards Building Supply Company---a successful, multi-state business headquartered at 7000 West 63rd Street. A family-owned company operating since 1978, Richards has earned and maintained a strong reputation as a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen.

This entire effort is a part of the GRNW's "Good Neighbor Program"---an initiative to fight crime indirectly by helping neighbors in need and promoting a sense of caring, cohesiveness and common good.

We at the Southwest Chicago Post salute the GRNW for its smart, effective and compassionate leadership. We also tip our cap to everyone who has volunteered in this effort, as well as the good people at Richards Building Supply Company. Together, all of you are helping make Garfield Ridge an even better place than it is already---one of the very best neighborhoods in Chicago.


If you live in Garfield Ridge, please consider joining the GRNW and doing your part to make the neighborhood a safer and better place for all. Contact them their via their website: www.garfieldridgenw.com and attend their next public meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 17 at Normandy Park.

If you live elsewhere on the Southwest Side, join your local civic or crime prevention group and help start a similar "good neighbor" initiative. Let's make all our neighborhoods places where we not only watch out for each other, but reach out to help each other.

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