Neighbors in DeKalb communities are encouraged to spread a little love this week during Build Strong Neighborhoods Week.

“We are trying to get people to think about their neighborhoods,” said Larry Howlett, a member of the DeKalb Neighborhood Association Council, the group organizing the week’s events. The council consists of volunteers who work to improve older neighborhoods and maintain some of the more active neighborhoods in DeKalb.

Build Strong Neighborhoods Week is a variation of the National Community Development Week, which happened last week. The city chose to celebrate the week of April 18 to 24 because Spring Break for area schools was last week, said Sue Guio, DeKalb community services planner.

Several activities for the community are planned for this week, Guio said. People were asked to turn on their porch lights Sunday to light the neighborhoods. A coloring contest and a treasure hunt of historical landmarks in DeKalb also will be held. Forms for both are available in the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.

Guio said the purpose of the treasure hunt is to get people to think about what makes their neighborhood special. The council also encourages parents to walk their children to and from school and school activities.

Neighbors are encouraged to talk to each other during the week, even if they do not know each other that well, Howlett said. He said he hopes getting people to talk to each other will help eliminate community problems such as parties or drugs in neighborhoods.

“We hope to put steps in place to make DeKalb a better place,” Howlett said.

The Neighborhood Rally, which is the culmination of the week’s activities, will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Lions Park on West Taylor Street. Guio said the city will provide information at the rally on how to plan for block parties and how to set up a neighborhood watch program. The neighborhood children will bring in the treasure hunt information and colored posters.

Howlett said the council is planning a softball game on Saturday as well.

For more information, call Howlett at 815-756-2867 or Guio at 815-748-2060.

Build Strong Neighborhoods Week

The Neighborhood Rally

• When: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturday

• Where: Lions Park on Taylor Street

• Other events being planned include a softball game on Saturday, a coloring contest* and treasure hunt of historical landmarks in DeKalb.*

• For more information, call Larry Howlett at 756-2867.

Sponsored by the DeKalb Neighborhood Association Council

*Forms are available at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.