We Couldn't Choose Just One: Meet Our Good Neighbor Contest Winners!
September 28 was National Good Neighbor Day, and Helms Heating & Air is celebrating the people who make our community feel like home. This year, we invited the community to nominate a neighbor for a chance to receive our 2026 Good Neighbor title!
We set out to choose one winner for this year’s Good Neighbor Contest.
Then we read the nominations.
And read them again.
And we realized something: we simply couldn’t choose just one.
So this year, we’re honored to recognize two outstanding Good Neighbor Contest winners:
Paul R. of Midland and Burt L. of Monroe.
Their nominations say it best.
Congratulations, Paul R. of Midland!
Paul was nominated by Byrch G., who shared this touching story about an unexpected act of kindness:
“I suffered a stroke about a year ago and am unable to keep our grass cut as necessary. My 68-year-old wife has tried her best to keep our grass cut to an acceptable level, but it's mighty hard for her to do so.“Our neighbor Paul saw her struggling one day in the very hot and humid conditions and came over to our house after seeing her struggling to cut our grass and he took over and cut it himself completely voluntarily and without solicitation from my wife or me!“He is about our age, late 60s, and he is thankfully able to keep his yard in immaculate condition. His very generous act of kindness and compassion definitely deserves your recognition and award!”
Paul’s story is a wonderful example of what being a good neighbor is all about: seeing someone who needs a little help and stepping in without being asked.
Congratulations, Paul, and thank you for being a great neighbor!
Congratulations, Burt L. of Monroe!
Our second winner, Burt L., was nominated by Jane P., who shared what his friendship and neighborliness have meant to her family over the past 10 years:
“He welcomed us 10 years ago when we retired. We've been through some difficult situations and he always offers his neighborly help, as well as our reciprocation to his family.“Burt and his wife Gina lost their son at age 12 to cancer, yet he remains resilient and committed to his faith. He has 2 grown sons that follow their Dad's kindness and well, we always have a great time when we get together!“Everything happens for a reason, and we are so glad to live across the street from a kind Christian family.”
Burt’s nomination speaks to the lasting impact a good neighbor can have—not just through a single gesture, but through years of friendship, support, and being there for one another.
Congratulations, Burt, and thank you for being a great neighbor!
Two Winners. Twice the Good Neighbor Spirit.
We started this contest looking for one person to recognize. But after hearing Paul and Burt’s stories, we knew there was no reason to make one choice when two neighbors had given us such meaningful examples of kindness and community spirit.
Congratulations to our 2026 Good Neighbor Contest winners!
And thank you to Byrch G. and Jane P. for taking the time to recognize the good neighbors in their lives. Their nominations are a wonderful reminder that sometimes the people who make the biggest difference are the ones living right next door.
