According to most studies and surveys, nearly half of Americans gamble — a habit that costs households hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

But the number of people who metaphorically roll the dice is actually much higher. That’s because when you buy or rent a house or apartment, you’re taking a major chance when it comes to who you’re living next door to today let alone 20 years down the road.

Yet despite the unavoidable and unknowable risks, there are still signs of good neighbors to consider.

Running up Flying W Ranch Road this past Saturday morning, I came upon an orange 5-gallon cooler placed on the curb that pointed to someone we’d all like to call our neighbor.

Taped to the side of the jug was the following message written in black marker on white paper:

“ICE WATER! Help yourself — but only take what you need.” It was signed, “Your friend” and included an address just around the corner.

It was placed there by Kevin Franke, who wound up riding 71.9 miles that day as part of the annual “719 Challenge” bike ride event. Knowing what it feels like to get thirsty and run out of fluids, the Mountain Shadows resident wanted to do his part and help fellow riders — or any other thirsty resident.

“Trust is a critical component of a good neighborhood,” Kevin told me later that evening. “In the neighborhood we live in, we try to conduct ourselves with complete trust. You have to be a good neighbor if you want to have good neighbors.”

Was he concerned someone might steal the cooler?

“What’s the worst that could happen?” he reflected. “Somebody swipes this big plastic jug? I’ll be fine. But what’s the upside? Well, somebody might need some water. And there it is.”

Kevin and his wife, Amy, have lived in the Parkside neighborhood for five years. It’s an area that was completely wiped out in the Waldo Canyon fire and rebuilt.

“You have to be the change you want to see,” he told me. “It just starts off with something as simple as waving to people. When I see cars, I give them a wave. I’m not saving the world. But there’s a marginal impact that can accumulate over time. It’s not a lot of effort. It’s not a lot of sweat off my brow to do it.”

Good neighbors don’t just leave out ice-cold water on hot days or smile and wave.

They also mow their grass and plant flowers in the summer, rake and pick up their leaves in the fall and shovel their snow in the winter. Good neighbors who own snow blowers don’t just plow their sidewalk and driveway but also a good many around them.

Good younger neighbors look out for good older ones. When the weather is bad, they bring The Gazette or mail in from the driveway to the porch. Good older neighbors encourage younger children in the area by hiring them to do chores. They recognize parents aren’t just raising kids but also the next generation.

Those of us who don’t own a truck appreciate it when neighbors who do have one allow us to borrow it. In return, a good neighbor fills it back up with gas, even if they’ve just driven five miles.

Good neighbors don’t just gawk or gossip when the ambulance or firetruck comes but reach out to see how they can help. They text and pray. When someone dies, they write a note and bring a casserole. On Halloween, they leave the lights on and give out candy with a smile. At Christmas, they exchange cookies and cards.

You know you have a good neighbor if you can call them from the office when you’re running late and ask them to let the dog out. Or you text them from the airport and ask them to make sure you closed the garage door. They bring in Amazon or UPS packages from the porch.

These pages are filled with frustrations and suggestions on how to solve the world’s many problems. Many of the issues are complex, but a good start to solving a crisis or even staving it off can be found in small acts of kindness — like filling up and putting out for others a Gatorade jug with very cold water on a very hot day.

Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura.