Distinguished Community Service Organization

It Takes a Lincoln Village

Be the neighbor you wish you had, and watch communities transform.

That wise saying certainly applies to It Takes a Lincoln Village, a volunteer organization of caring neighbors, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary of encouraging neighborhood improvement in Rancho Cordova’s Lincoln Village.

Formed in 2015 as part of the City’s Neighborhood Engagement Program, It Takes a Lincoln Village identifies ways to connect residents, foster relationships, empower them to build up their neighborhood – and just have fun together.

Throughout their 10 years, It Takes a Lincoln Village has worked to provide information about community resources, supported beautification projects, brought family fun events to the neighborhood and supported local businesses and non-profits in Lincoln Village.

They also launched a parade – but more about that in a moment.

Always at the center of the action, It Takes a Lincoln Village has sponsored speakers who visit and share information residents can use about their city, their police department, and park district.

When the first ever voter district was established, they hosted candidate nights. They are active in public art projects and maintain a website and facebook page providing updates about events and opportunities that are available right around the corner.

They have participated in tree plantings, installation of low water landscaping projects, cleanups along waterways and streets, have supported free bike repair clinics, promoted neighborhood entry way signs and much more.

They host National Night Out celebrations in August to focus on safety, and Halloween Trunk or Treat events in October to focus on fun. They have organized mixer events for neighbors, a local expo to showcase neighborhood businesses and are now organizing to support the arts in their area.

Yes, this ever-evolving group has been plenty busy over the past 10 years, but it is their holiday parade that has really put them on the map.

Starting with just a few vehicles, the Lincoln Village Holiday Parade has grown to 50 decorated entries created by neighbors, local businesses, community organizations, police and firefighters as well as City staff. It has become the signature event for their neighborhood.

The parade winds through Lincoln Village rain or shine, with colorful lights shining, music wafting from the floats and holiday cheer in abundance.

As usual, one good thing has led to another. A Santa meet-up and hot cocoa and cookie party have been added at AM Winn Elementary School, and other cocoa stations have popped up along the parade route. These stations provide opportunities for locals to learn more about what’s going on in their community and just get acquainted – the tried-and-true method for building healthy neighborhoods.

Out on the range it is well known that you should “trust your neighbor, but brand your cattle.”

But it is also true that a neighbor’s friendship is a daily reminder that happiness is just a door away.

For 10 years of taming the wild, wild west of Rancho Cordova, we tip our hat to It Takes a Lincoln Village. Thank you for loving your home with a heart as big as the wide-open sky. Congratulations to this Distinguished Community Service Organization.