Are you a great Canadian neighbour?

Straight from the icy sidewalk next door and the land of snow blowing, lawn mowing, and babysitting come those hearty individuals who serve above and beyond the call of duty – the great Canadian neighbour.

Four unsuspecting neighbours were honoured with prizes by Family Life Network’s radio talk-show hosts David Balzer and Melissa McEachern Feb. 23. GodTalk, a popular AM radio show hosted on Manitoba’s most successful commercial radio station, held a contest across Manitoba Jan. 20–Feb. 20, to see whether being a good neighbour still matters. The random prize draw was a $350 spa getaway package.

Sherene (left) submitted a story about Fred (far left) and Jolene (right), but she was surprised instead with a spa getaway after her neighbours entered her name as well.

Because the contest webpage gave participants the opportunity to print their entry and drop it in their neighbour’s mailbox, several neighbours ended up returning the goodwill and entering each other.

“In all the excitement and laughter, we couldn’t tell the difference between the neighbours who entered and the neighbours who ended up receiving the prizes, everyone was just so happy. It seems that caring about neighbours is life-giving in all directions!” says David Balzer, GodTalk producer.

—FLN release

A video of the prize delivery is posted at godtalk.com.

Some of the entries from the Great Canadian Neighbour contest:

Joanne and Bob have been my neighbours for 13 years – in fact, I could have sold my home and moved but instead chose to have my home removed from my property and build brand new because I did not want to move away from my neighbours. Ever since my divorce in 2000, I have never had to ask Bob or Joanne for anything – as soon as they noticed something needed to be done, they would do it. Bob fixes and does chores, and Joanne is like a second mother to me and always wants to make sure I am OK and safe.

—Arlene

When Earl and my husband Fred get their heads together they can build and do anything – build handrails on my front porch and almost perfect wooden fences, or take down 50-foot trees. Sherene handles her children with great love and care, challenging my grandparenting skills. They serve readily and unconditionally.

—Jolene

We moved in three years ago and have been doing renovations ever since. I don’t know what we would have done without our wonderful retired neighbours, guiding us and lending us the appropriate equipment. Both Dick and Janet know a lot about life. I never have to Google anything, I just go next door and get my information first hand. Even with the big age difference we consider them one of our best friends and certainly the greatest neighbours.

—Roxanne

I moved to Canada from the UK four years ago. It’s tough when you leave your family and friends behind with such a huge move but this wonderful family have made it so much easier for us. Colleen has been there for me always – her husband snow blows our driveway – we constantly help each other out, be it a ride to hockey, writing an important letter, or helping with study or work worries. She is always there. Even my Mum looks at her as our “Canadian family.”

—Tracy

Tracy submitted a winning entry for her neighbour Colleen (right).