A Network of Neighbors Proves Helpful

ANCRAMDALE — It’s a simple idea really: Join a group of people in your community who are willing to help others in times of need, put your name on a list, create a map of where you live in that community and exchange phone numbers in case a need arises. That’s exactly what Anne Carriere, coordinator of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, has done. She started the group in Ancramdale. She wants to see the idea grow and have other groups start up in neighboring towns and villages, like Millerton.

"We would love to have other people sign up and other areas started. It’s not hard to do," she said. "It’s a very easy concept and it just takes a handful of people to start. I would be willing to help start a group anywhere. All I need is a contact person who is willing to do a little co-work."

The way it works, according to Carriere, is that people sign up on a list with their particular talents or skills. Perhaps someone is a plumber or a gardener or a pet-sitter. Then, when someone in the group needs a clogged drain fixed, or a patch of poison ivy identified or a pet watched, they contact the appropriate person on the list. There’s no obligation that the person on the list has to help out, but if they’re available, and willing to, they do. If not, they don’t. The point is to make life easier, if possible. The group is not meant to take the place of 911 for emergency calls or anything like that. It’s meant, simply, to help participants utilize the skills of those in the group if necessary.

"There’s no compulsion to do anything. You’re not obligated to help. It just depends on whether you are around to get the call and if you have the ability to help. It’s not an obligatory thing," Carriere said. "It’s very informal."

Those in the Ancramdale group range from a local fine artist to a former IBM worker, to a social worker, to a school teacher, to the local postmistress.

"That’s just a small sampling," Carriere said of the group.

And there’s no age restriction, either. Members can range from those in their young ‘20s to those in their ‘70s, for example, as they do in Ancramdale.

"It’s a great idea and it should be very local. I would love to see every post office do it. I know our postmistress is wonderful about it," Carriere said, explaining that some of the group’s materials are posted in the post office. "The concept is a local, neighborhood concept, but we don’t really have neighborhoods up here. This is a rural area."

To help promote the program, Neighbors Helping Neighbors will hold an open house on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church. Interested parties can learn more about the program and meet some of its members.

The group is also participating in this Saturday’s (Dec. 2) Christmas tree decorating and lighting at Ancramdale Memorial Park, which starts at 6 p.m. All are welcome.

Additionally, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, along with the help of the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, is working on a food drive for holiday baskets, to be delivered this December. A food collection box is located inside the church on County Route 8 on Sundays from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. through Dec. 10, and at the open house on that same day. In addition to nonperishable food items, the church is also accepting monetary donations. If you are in need, or want more information about the food drive, call 518-329-6872.

For more information about Neighbors Helping Neighbors, call Carriere at 518-789-9134.