Eastside Pioneers Neighborhood Association hold picnic to help support neighbors, protect community

By Ala Errebhi

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) –

A group of people has come together to make sure their neighborhood is safe, united and that neighbors help one another.

The Eastside Pioneers Neighborhood Association held their second annual picnic on Saturday at noon in East Park, to raise awareness about how they preserve and protect their community, as well as socialize with other people.

The association started about 18 years ago, but in recent years saw a need to increase efforts to connect with neighbors.

“I think a lot of people felt that they needed to reach out to other neighbors,” Helen Roland, a member of the association. “And the association was a good place to have as a resource for those people, so we have a number of, like I said, long-time neighbors who are very helpful to new neighbors and to neighbors who are having issues of any kind.”

People in the neighborhood can seek help from long-term neighbors about anything from reporting crimes to how the city works.

The picnic’s theme was community unity, and it featured music and games.