Samuel Street Spring Social brings neighbours together

In late May of 2025, something special happened on Samuel Street—a neighbourhood get-together that brought people out of their homes and into conversation, fun, and community spirit. 

Entirely organized and run by a group of volunteers, the event was a true team effort.  

Tasks were shared, planning went smoothly, and when the big day arrived, it all came together beautifully. Neighbours who had never met before were laughing and chatting, and there was a real sense of belonging in the air. This was all helped along by the option to wear a name tag with one’s home address, helping people put faces to houses as they played a fun social bingo game. With live music, games for all ages, a free barbecue, face painting and balloon animals, this welcoming inclusive event brought people out from all over the block. 

According to the event organizer Shauna, one unexpected highlight of the evening was the adult games. There was some worry people might be shy, but the energy and enthusiasm were fantastic. It was heartwarming to see everyone, from kids to seniors, enjoying themselves together.  

Cleanup was another uplifting moment. Even though the event was organized by five people, many other neighbours spontaneously stayed behind to help clean up. That generosity really captured the spirit of the day. 

The event didn’t just last a day. Shauna further spoke to the fact that since then, she’s noticed more people greeting each other, stopping for chats, and showing a genuine interest in doing more activities together. The event truly sparked a stronger sense of community and there is genuine interest in doing it again in the future.  

At the end of the day, this is what the Love My Hood program is all about, creating space for community, forging new connections, and bringing neighbours together.