National Family Week is Nov. 18-24 to acknowledge the importance of "family" to celebrate special connections that support and strengthen families. One of these special "connections" exists right here in our community.

It is the Family Resource Center in SeaTac, a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. The Center works in partnership with diverse communities, connecting families to information, education, resources, and support to promote the health and well being of children and families and to foster a sense of community.

Creating a sense of neighborhood and community was much easier years ago than it is today. The mobility of families, the loss of porches, changing jobs, both parents working, children enrolled in outside activities, are just a few of the changes that have made it hard to build neighborliness.

I remember, being sent to the neighbors to borrow a cup of sugar, knowing all the neighborhood children because I babysat them, and watching my parents gather weekly at a neighbor's house to play cards.

All these occurrences made it possible for neighbors to become friends, friends to become like family, and for everyone to be supported.

This sense of connection still happens in some neighborhoods but it's harder to find and even harder to maintain.

To celebrate National Family Week, make a Thanksgiving card for your neighbor, rake a neighbor's leaves, make a donation to an organization helping children and families, compliment a parent about their child, or tell a relative member the positive things they bring to the family.

Claudia Dickinson

SeaTac