Applications open for Good Neighbor Week

GREEN BAY – This fall, from Sept 22-28, the volunteers of Good Neighbor Week (GNW) will be working nonstop to “help as many people as possible.”

GNW is a collaboration between NeighborWorks Green Bay, Green Bay Neighborhoods and the city of Green Bay.

For those interested, you can apply for some minor home repairs, yard maintenance or landscaping done during Good Neighbor Week.
Applications will be opening in late March and closing May 1.

While reviewing applications, special considerations are made for those who are elderly, lower income, living with a disability and those with medical hardships or familial situations that create barriers for home maintenance to be completed.

“Not only is the week about neighbors, or us helping neighbors fix their homes, but there’s also a lot of opportunity for all of our neighborhoods in Green Bay. A lot of them will plan events during that week, so it’s really about connecting with your neighbors,” shared Vicki Bokelman, the Community Outreach Coordinator for NeighborWorks Green Bay.

GNW began when Green Bay’s 2019 Community Leadership Institute (CLI) committee was tasked with coming up with an idea that would help improve their community.

“This is the idea they brought back,” said Bokelman.

For those interested in contributing to this year’s Good Neighbor Week, sponsorships start at $500.

“That will all go toward projects, for supplies and anything that’s happening that week. And we will put their logo on a yard sign that will be displayed in the yard of the project that we are doing,” said Bokelman.

Sponsors are also welcome to photo opportunities and “gratitude shoutouts” on GNW’s social media accounts.

“They can also provide a volunteer group if they want to come in and help that way as well.

“We’re also asking, not only financially, but if people would like to donate in kind with materials or tools or even lunch for the volunteers,” Bokelman added.
Good Neighbor Week is also excited about their returning volunteers.
Pete Sheldosky, who describes himself as a “professional volunteer,” has been with GNW since the very beginning.

He said his volunteer career started at 14 when he became a volunteer fireman in his hometown.

Years later, Sheldosky is still involved with seven volunteer groups and is a member of eight committees.

He was also one of the CLI committee members that founded Good Neighbor Week, starting out in 2019 with nine projects.

Sheldosky currently works with GNW by assessing the homes of applicants, and Bokelman describes him as, “the heart and soul of Good Neighbor week.”
For applications, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, as well as any additional information, head to the NeighborWorks Green Bay’s website and click on the Good Neighbor Week page.