WELL ... WHAT CAN ONE SAY ... IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME?​

Saturday night was special. A different kind of special from all the other special things we do. People got it—like, truly got it. They understood the point of building a table and sitting with strangers. Each detail was impeccable, the food was delicious, and real connections were made—between strangers who became neighbors. 160 neighbors who left all their differences aside to pull up a chair at our 160-foot table and play in the most epic game of musical chairs ever to grace this side of Northern Boulevard.

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I sometimes wonder as headlines rush through feeds and overwhelm conversations if what we’re doing here is doing a fucking thing. There are times I think, what’s the point? And then nights like Saturday night happen. And it reminds me all over again what we’re here to do. 

 

So onward we go. Searching for ways to ignite that spark—the social goodness I believe in with my whole heart. The news, the Facebook fights—they may deflate for a moment. But they can’t take this. Not for long.

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And clearly, I’m not the only one who believes in this silly little notion. 

 

Thank you all. What a special group of people I get to do this thing with. 

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To each dedicated neighbor who puts long hours into doing what we do for this community, Jen DeSane, Karla Dixon, Mindy Isacoff, Sean Llewellyn, and Shalini Desai, our Board, and every volunteer who helps bring our zany thoughts to life. 

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To Kristine Janusas for becoming our first-ever musical chairs champion, and Tobi Lebron—and all of the runner-ups—for showing off some serious chair-chasing skills! And our special guest referee, Mayor Elena Villafaine, for making the tough calls. 

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To Lisa Harir, who had a vision of building the longest table and trusted us to build it; Elite Tents & Events for donating all of essentials from tables to chairs, linens to glasses; Baron Floral for decorating 20 tables with such beautiful arrangements; DJ Valentine for keeping us moving with his musical genius; Photography by Juliette for capturing every moment, all of our moments; St. Luke’s for opening doors; Vegan Rob’s for the tasty pre-dinner treats; and Glen Cove Beer Distributors, for those iconic cobalt Saratoga water bottles.

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Love Your Neighbor Project was founded on a simple truth: when neighbors come together, good things happen. Real community grows when people of all backgrounds put away their differences and gather side by side. What unites us will always be bigger than what divides us when we choose to let it. And your presence at our table is living proof of that.

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You remind us of what community looks like when social goodness takes a seat at the table. 

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Won’t you join?

Jaime Teich

Founder, Chief Neighbor

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