Village Aims to Recognize Random Acts of Kindness

Do you have a neighbor who goes above and beyond in Bolingbrook? Consider nominating him or her for the village’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Recognition Program.

Established last year, the program recognizes citizens’ random acts of kindness.

Trustee Mike Lawler, a coordinator of the program, said it was launched at the suggestion of a resident who wanted to recognize the help he’d received from a fellow citizen.

“This gentleman’s neighbor would come over and help him do yard work or when there was snow would shovel,” Lawler said. “Other nominations we’ve had are for people who can’t get out that much and have residents that will come and bring them groceries or do home repairs or just go out of their way to help out.”

Residents can nominate a citizen by submitting a form to or via e-mail to executive@bolingbrook.com. Nominees are then notified and asked if they would like to be recognized with a certificate of appreciation for being a good neighbor either in the mail or at a Village Board meeting.

Many times, those people who commit the acts of kindness don’t want the recognition.

“Most people will take the certificate privately,” Lawler said.

“They’re not doing it to get a merit badge. They’re doing it because they’re nice people,” Mayor Roger Claar said.

Lawler said after the recent heavy snow a man on his own street went around clearing the sidewalks with a snowblower.

“(We want to recognize) people like that who are looking out for people in the neighborhood and realize there’s a need for help and go and do it without being asked,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”