Being a good neighbor is one of the most direct ways we can invest in building a strong community. Good neighbors often become lifelong friends who look out for each other and enhance daily life through small acts of kindness. Mason residents now have the opportunity to foster an even stronger sense of community, promote property beautification and lend their neighbors a helping hand, thanks to a recent initiative offered by the City of Mason.
In 2024, City of Mason Councilmember Joy Bennett expressed interest in establishing the Good Neighbor Trailer program after seeing a similar initiative in the City of Hamilton. The council recognized the program's potential to promote a culture of compassion and kindness. The City then reimagined a former fire department trailer as a community resource featuring landscaping tools for use by Mason residents and community organizations to assist neighbors, friends and fellow residents who are physically unable to do yard work.
The City of Mason Service Department staff thoughtfully organizes and maintains the trailer, which they outfitted with a variety of landscape tools and equipment—including mowers, edgers, rakes, weed whackers, clippers, saws, pruners, a ladder, wheelbarrow, gloves, trash bags and more. Whether it’s tidying up local parks, shoveling a neighbor’s driveway or organizing larger efforts to beautify a particular area of Mason, the Good Neighbor Trailer reflects the City of Mason’s commitment to building a strong community through hands-on service and collaboration.
The Good Neighbor trailer is already empowering Mason residents and community organizations to take action to support friends and neighbors.
Theresa Finnigin utilized the trailer to assist her neighbors last fall. Merideth and Don Burton, along with their children, were going through a difficult season when Don was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Theresa gathered a crew of neighbors to help with landscaping at the Burton home using the tools provided in the Good Neighbor Trailer.
“The family’s time, energy and resources were focused on caring for Don and making the most of the time they had together. The last thing they should’ve had to worry about was keeping up with landscaping,” explains Theresa.
The City of Mason delivered the trailer directly to the Burton’s street, so Theresa and the team of helpers didn’t have to transport or manage anything themselves. Communication with the City was smooth, clear and easy throughout the process.
"Everything was new, clean and in excellent shape. We were all impressed. I expected the tools in the trailer to be donated or used, but the entire experience was a pleasant surprise,” says Theresa.
The day's work turned out to be not only an act of kindness for a family going through the unimaginable but also a blessing to everyone who participated.
“Supporting one another—especially during times of hardship—reminds all of us we’re not meant to do life alone,” notes Theresa. “If you knew Don, you would know his humor and generosity were unmatched. He was a good neighbor to everyone in Mason, so it feels especially fitting that the Good Neighbor Trailer was used to help his family when they needed it most.”
Merideth shares, “The Good Neighbor Trailer and the crew of amazing friends we’ve made over the last two decades living in Mason, who came to help us, were truly a light in a very dark time. Their act of generosity made the last few days of Don’s life full of love, kindness and beauty. For that, we are forever grateful.”
For Mason nonprofit community theater, Acting Up, the Good Neighbor Trailer equipped their volunteers with all the necessary tools for their fall cleanup project.
“We desperately needed to clean up the bushes, weeds and trees around our property in Mason, but as a small nonprofit community theater, we didn't have the equipment to get the job done,” remarks President of Acting Up, Alicia Farbstein.
They also found the trailer well equipped with a variety of helpful tools. “Everything was charged and ready to go! With the trailer and our amazing volunteers, we got all of the cleanup done. Our team really loved the battery-operated power tools, and we hope to use the trailer again for our spring cleanup,” Alicia tells us.
A similar public works program is available through Deerfield Township. Deerfield residents can rent a 1-ton dump truck, delivered to their driveway on a Friday (7-8 a.m.) and collected the following Monday (7-7:30 a.m.). This convenient service is available April 1-Oct. 31 and is perfect for weekend remodeling projects, garage cleanouts or general yard debris removal. For dump truck cost, requirements and registration, reach out to Deerfield Twp. Public Works at 513. 701.6974 or visit ChooseDeerfield.com.
The Good Neighbor Trailer is free and only available to residents or organizations based in the City of Mason. Residents interested in reserving can contact the City of Mason Service Department by calling 513.229.8580 or by emailing publicworks@masonoh.org. For more information, visit ImagineMason.org.