Good Neighbor of the Year Award

Firelands Electric established this program to recognize a member of the cooperative who is always willing to volunteer a helping hand, makes a habit of helping others and works to improve the community.

In 2009, Firelands members nominated six of their fellow members as Good Neighbor of the Year. Following a very difficult decision process, a nominee was selected to be recognized as Good Neighbor of the Year during 2010. Congratulations to Don and Sharon Harris, the Firelands Electric Cooperative Good Neighbors of the Year for 2010.

Good Neighbors, Sharon and Don Harris, with “Chessie.”

The Harrises were nominated by their neighbor, Anne Sabri-Plodzien, who wrote: In our beautiful lakeside community we depend on each other. One couple stands out. Don and Sharon Harris organize neighbor donations for a death, illness or special need. On snow days, Don cleans neighbors’ steps. Alone, the Harrises landscape, maintain and seasonally decorate the West Shore’s entrance-way garden.

Living in the country we find many abandoned stray dogs and cats on our road. Don and Sharon adopt and finance good health care for cats that West Shore neighbors bring to the Harrises’ doorstep as well as find homes for dogs.

During the 13 years the Harrises have lived in the West Shore area of the Charles Mill reservoir, they have sheltered more than 35 cats and a few dogs. They currently have 18 cats in their home—most abandoned strays. About six years ago the entrance road to the West Shore area was re-routed to eliminate an unsafe intersection. The old road way was scraped bare and was an eyesore, so the Harrises decided to improve the site. Starting with a few transplanted trees, bushes and flowers and a lot of hard manual labor, Sharon and Don have transformed the old roadway
into a picturesque park.

The Good Neighbor award includes a $100 donation by Firelands Electric to the winner’s favorite cause or charity. Without hesitation, Sharon Harris selected Kats ’n Kittens Adoption and Rescue a nonprofit rescue shelter now located in Butler, Ohio. More information about the Kats ’n Kittens rescue shelter can be found at the web site: www.katsnkittens.com.