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Read the press release here.

Civic Group Brings Back 'Good Neighbor' Awards After Yearslong Absence

By Katie Honan | June 25, 2015 8:13am
 The Jackson Heights Beautification Group wants to honor the people working hard to improve the neighborhood. 
The Jackson Heights Beautification Group wants to honor the people working hard to improve the neighborhood. 
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Jackson Heights Beautification Group

JACKSON HEIGHTS — You can honor your favorite store owner, organization or your building's super as part of a local civic group's "Good Neighbor" awards, which are returning after a nearly 10-year absence. 

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group announced last week it is seeking nominations for the awards, which the organization initiated around the time the group was founded in 1988, according to president Len Maniace.

Back then, their main goal was to landmark streets to preserve Jackson Heights' history. Every few years they recognized store merchants, buildings with beautiful gardens and residents who were working towards greening and preserving the neighborhood, Maniace said. 

"It started early on and the idea was basically to honor people who were making Jackson Heights a better place," he said.

They stopped giving out the awards about a decade ago, though, as they began focusing on other things, he said.

"It just sort of fell by the wayside because Jackson Heights Beautification Group has taken on more things over the last 10 years," including the Jackson Heights Orchestra and Summer Sundays at Travers Park, Maniace said.

In bringing the awards back, they hope to recognize even more people and groups working tirelessly to improve Jackson Heights — to "honor people who are working to make Jackson Heights a greener place, a friendlier place, a more art-filled place," Maniace said.

"It's another chance for us to accentuate the idea that we are a small town in the big city."

The good neighbors will be honored at a party Sept. 26 at the Community United Methodist Church.

Nominations are due by the end of June and can be emailed with details to events@jhbg.org with "Good Neighbor" in the subject line.