Good Neighbor(s) Spotlight: Ria and Mike

The HOA is pleased to shine a light on two residents who truly embody the spirit of community service. In this spotlight, we're celebrating Ria and Mike for their outstanding contributions and commitment to keeping our neighborhood beautiful. You may have seen them walking with their grabbers and bags, picking up trash along the way.

Ria and Mike have been valued members of the Dobbins Creek community for 12-13 years, and what began as a daily walk for exercise soon evolved into a dedicated effort to beautify Dobbins Creek. Noticing a significant amount of litter along their route, they initially began picking it up by hand. To make their efforts more efficient and comfortable, they invested in grabbers, allowing them to clean up trash without constantly bending over.

For more than five years now, Ria and Mike have walked in excess of four miles most days. They dedicate 2-2.5 hours to their mission, collecting 3-5 bags of garbage during their walks.

Their efforts aren't limited to just our community; they extend their cleanup to the surrounding area and their community watchfulness extends beyond just trash; they warn cyclists of obstacles and even assist with necessary calls for services like dead animal removal (the number for which is 602-262-6791).

Originally from Wisconsin, Ria met Mike in Arizona when Mike was living in Ahwatukee at the time. Their partnership, both in life and in community service, is a wonderful story. While their primary motivations are health and community pride, they've even found an unexpected side benefit: occasionally finding coins and other small items along the way!

Many neighbors see them and wave, stop to chat, or even offer the use of their garbage cans for disposing of the collected trash. This interaction highlights how their actions inspire the whole neighborhood. On behalf of the entire community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ria and Mike for their outstanding neighborliness. Their dedication helps keep our community clean and safe for everyone.

Nominate Your Next Good Neighbor!

Do you know a neighbor who deserves to be recognized for their community spirit? We encourage you to nominate them for a future spotlight! Send an e-mail to Lynnemoritz@gmail.com

Ria & Mike making our neighborhood sparkle!