From Autry Avenue to Yearling Street, small kindnesses are getting noticed, as you'll read in our gallery of good neighbors below. Click to tells us about your good neighbor

 
Herb Beckerdite: Sharing wisdom and garden vegetables. Eric Cox of Autry Avenue told us about his neighbor Herb Beckerdite, a veteran of the Second World War, who is as generous with vegetables from his garden as he is with his time. Eric said that Herb “has a lot of years of wisdom as a veteran, husband, father, and, grandfather.” Herb’s advice and experiences mean a lot to Eric, who is a newlywed. He said that Herb and Dorothy Beckerdite “remind me that I have neighbors that make Lakewood a good city to live in.”

Fred and Kathy Blanton: Helping a disabled neighbor. Ruby Boecker has disabilities that make tasks around the house hard for her. But she has good neighbors in Fred and Kathy Blanton on Johanna Avenue. Ruby said that “Fred helps whenever I need any kind of help at my house. Kathy helps when I have computer problems.”

Austin, Ryan, Cody, and Cory Bonelli: A family of good neighbors. Mary Guzzetta knows an entire family of good neighbors. Brothers Austin, Ryan, Cody, and Cory Bonelli light up her life, she said, “So young and respectful, and “Teri Bonelli who is ‘over the top’ in warmth and sincerity, too. What awesome neighbors!”

Carol Brown: It’s in her DNA. Caroline Contreras, who lives on Lakewood Boulevard, has a good neighbor who is a real go-getter. “Carol Brown always goes beyond the call of duty,” Caroline told us. “She's active in her church. She's active at the senior center. And most importantly, she's there when anybody needs a favor – always willing to rearrange her schedule to accommodate the needs of others . . . you name it she does it. Helping others is just part of her DNA.”

Marlene Carlin: Loves to cook. Marlene Carlin is the good neighbor of Rudy and Vicki Saavedra on Alburtis Avenue. “Marlene is always doing neighborly things to help others,” noted Rudy and Vicki. “She loves to cook large meals and shares them with us and other neighbors who may be going through an illness or have a new baby or just because she has extra and wants to share. She not only brings us meals, she also runs errands, visits sick friends in the hospital, and takes people to doctor appointments and medical tests during those scary times when they really need someone there to support them.”

Kenny Carlson: A good guy! Linda Walker of Autry Avenue nominates Kenny Carlson as her good neighbor. “Kenny mows and edges the lawn of an elderly neighbor every week – never fails. He is a good guy!”

Mike Childress: Tireless good neighbor. Kassandra Childress of Belshire Avenue thinks her dad, Mike Childress, is her idea of a very good neighbor. “My dad will go out of his way to help anyone when he can. Every day he goes to our elderly neighbor’s house to help him give his cat his medicine and just hang out, since Lloyd lives alone. On holidays or when we have parties, he will take Lloyd a plate of what ever food we have. And watches his house and feeds his animals when he’s out of town. The other Saturday, when my dad had just finished working a long shift, I came home and found him mowing our other neighbor’s yard. When I asked him why, he said it was because the neighbor’s husband works long hours and she was going to do it herself. Small acts of kindness like this show that my dad is a good person. Even though he may be tired, he will still help when he can.”

Judy DeVault: Making a neighborhood thrive. Kim Stump of Henrilee Street thinks that Judy DeVault has a special gift as her good neighbor. “In the short time I have lived here,” Kim wrote, “I am amazed by the kindnesses that my neighbor Julie shows to many of our neighbors on our block. For one she manages to find time to help others by caring for their gardens or their pets when they are away or when they are unable to manage themselves. She helps when she can to watch and care for the elderly or a newly born baby in our neighborhood. And, she is the first one to offer to make a dish for a celebration while her schedule is already busy with her own family. She gives so much of herself and with such joy. She really does have a green thumb and the animals and neighbors really do love her.”

Fire Fighter Mark Lepore: A real hero. Lorna Williams wanted us to know about a good neighbor she calls “one of those angels who enter your life and help you get through the toughest times.” When Lorna’s husband was dying of brain cancer, Fire Fighter Mark Lepore was their support system. “He provided love and care. He did chores for us that we could not do any longer. He was here for us day and night – at the hospital when my husband was in the hospital and by my husband’s side while he was dying at home. And has been there for me ever since. He is an awesome man, husband, father, son, and neighbor. I cannot possibly put into a few sentences what all this man and his family have done. He is an unsung hero."

Jenny Magallnes: New friends in Lakewood. Natalya Hahn, who is in her 90s now, told us of Jenny Magallnes, a Lakewood beautician. When Natalya moved to Lakewood a few years ago, she had a hard time making new friends. Jenny came to the rescue. When she learned that Natalya enjoyed writing, she was determined to have Natalya meet the members of a writing group that focuses on life stories. When Natalya hesitated, thinking how difficult transportation might be, Jenny immediately offered to be her driver.” She took time from her busy schedule to go with me,” Natalya said. “It’s a great group, a great match for me, and I love Lakewood. I've learned since then that Jenny helps everyone!”

Tom Moffitt: The ultimate good neighbor. Many of the stories we’ve received are about Lakewood residents who could in the running for “ultimate good neighbor.” Vikki Venable told us about one. His name is Tom Moffitt. “Tom does everything for his neighbors,” Vikki said. “He puts our trash cans in for us (and about five houses besides his). If our husbands are out of town he puts the trash out.” In fact, Tom has a helping hand for everyone – fixing things, driving neighbors to the airport or to pick up a car from the repair shop. “He mows the lawns around his if he's out doing his and you haven't had a chance to do yours,” Vikki added. “Tom is selfless. Every day he walks around outside to see what he can do to take care of his neighborhood and to help out his friends and neighbors and rarely asking for anything in return. We are all blessed to have a neighbor like Tom.”

Virginia Perez: Gorgeous bouquets. Kristin James tells us that Virginia Perez, who lives on Whitewood Avenue, is her good neighbor. “Virginia is a godsend – the best neighbor we could have ever imagined having,” Kristin e-mailed. “She keeps an eye on our house (calls us to let us know our garage door is open at night), accepts packages for us during the day, feeds our dogs (and won't accept any payment for her kindness). And if that wasn't enough, Virginia will wash our dishes left in the sink if she comes to feed the dogs and will leave vases full of her gorgeous homegrown flowers. She is the most generous person I have ever met!"

Charles Ross: Puts “community” into community gardens. Kelly Keller, who is a member of the Lakewood Community Gardens, shared her experiences with Charles Ross, a 32-year member of the community gardens. “Mr. Ross has a very nice garden of his own,” Kelly noted, “but most days I see him working in one of his neighbors' gardens. He helps out by hauling manure, tending plants and weeding, and harvesting and delivering produce to some of our members who are sick at home or otherwise unable to come out to their garden. He spreads mulch, replaces posts and fixes whatever he sees needs fixing. Mr. Ross puts the ‘community’ in our community gardens. He does this by helping others maintain gardens, welcoming our new gardeners, and contributing to the overall joy of gardening as a community. He doesn't tell anyone about these good deeds, he just quietly goes about doing what needs to be done.”

Trish Ryan: Delightful attitude, beautiful smile. Karen Roubinov wanted to acknowledge Trish Ryan of Maybank Avenue as someone who always looks out for her neighbors. “In any type of emergency,” Karen wrote, “Trish immediately contacts her elderly next-door neighbor to make sure she is ok. The elderly neighbor lost her husband of 40 years a short time ago, and Trish checks with her almost daily to see that she is taking care of herself, eating properly, and going to scheduled doctor's appointments. She will often run errands for her or take her to appointments when the neighbor is unable to drive. Trish does all this with a delightful attitude and beautiful smile.”

Jack and Linda Schier: Tireless gardener. Jack and Linda Schier of Stevely Avenue are well known good neighbors. Ruth Lerian said that “Jack takes my trash in and out every week and has since I became disabled. He and Linda have worked in my garden tirelessly for many years. They are the go-to neighbors if I need help and have taken me to the hospital when it was necessary.” And Donna Robertson wanted us to know that Jack offers a helping hand to fix sprinklers and trim bushes and watch out for the homes of vacationing neighbors, too.

Lou Ann Smith: An exceptional neighbor. Stacy Barnett of Pimenta Avenue wanted to us to know that Lou Ann Smith is an exceptional neighbor. “If someone isn't feeling well or has some crisis,” Stacy wrote in an e-mail, “Lou Ann is the first one to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. She's a genuine and caring person.”

Anne Stough: Garden TLC. Manolita Villaverde has a good neighbor named Anne Stough. “Anne has lived on Castana Avenue for over 50 years,” Manolita wrote in an e-mail. “She still tends to her beautiful garden day in and day out. But this TLC extends to our garden too. She was the one who offered to help us and showed us how to plant and take care of the roses and seasonal flowers. She is such a good neighbor and such a great friend! She makes Lakewood beautiful and she makes our home beautiful too by her kind and generous actions.”

Jim Tucker: Handy in the yard. Nancy Hitt pointed out good neighbor Jim Tucker on Faust Avenue. Jim’s disabled neighbor needed help with yard maintenance and other tasks. Jim mowed, pruned, and fixed things so that she could remain in her home of 30 years. He now helps other residents on his block. “He is doing all of this just because he believes in being a good neighbor. He doesn't expect anything in return,” Nancy said.

Don and Barbara Ulery: A great neighbor. Jill Gutierrez told us about Don and Barbara Ulery on Belshire Avenue. Jill said that she admires Barbara’s dedication to her neighbors. Barbara takes Jill’s trash to the curb every week and moves the cans back to her gate after the trash has been picked up. Barbara pet-sits when Jill and her family are on vacation. And she’ll even help with Jill’s holiday decorations in December. “Barbara is an overall great neighbor, Jill said, “and a wonderful person. We are so lucky to have her as a neighbor and friend.”