Sudbury man embodies what it means to be a good neighbour

Erik Harju, a Sudbury-area resident, regularly helps neighbours Brenda and Ken Salo with rides, groceries and community events, and says his flexible schedule as a filmmaker allows him to do so.

A Sudbury-area neighbour helps keep daily life moving for nearby residents through ordinary, steady acts of care. Brenda and Ken Salo, who live on a family homestead in the Beaver Lake area, describe long-standing support from their neighbour, Erik Harju. Harju says he sets his own work hours as a filmmaker, which lets him be available for rides, errands and community activities. The area has roots in Finnish and other early settlers, and residents say that history supports a pattern of mutual help. Known details: - Erik Harju, 59, lives near Brenda and Ken Salo in the Beaver Lake area west of Sudbury and beyond Lively. - The Salos say Harju drives them to appointments, does grocery shopping, helps with a wheelchair and shares meals and time with them. - Brenda, now 80, and her husband live on a family homestead about 30 miles from Sudbury and 15–20 miles from Espanola. - Harju helps with community-centre events and joins local celebrations such as New Year’s, May Day and Finnish Juhannus. - Residents describe Beaver Lake as a close-knit rural community with roots in Finnish, English and French pioneer families, and say that shared history encourages neighbours to help one another. Summary: The Salos say Harju’s regular help improves their daily life and adds companionship, and Harju attributes his availability to flexible work and local community habits. Undetermined at this time.