(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Sabeel Ahmed and his family moved from India to the United States nearly 20 years ago.
"Back in my homeland of India, there is more of a sense of community,” the Morton Grove resident said. “People know each other, they share things with each other, they knock at the door anytime of the day. But coming here, we found that people are more isolated and keep to themselves."
So, he and his wife decided to use the brutal January forecast to reach out to his neighbors.
"Starting last week, when we learned of the weather, my wife and I thought, ‘Why don't we also make sure that our neighbors will be safe?’”
Tuesday night, in subzero weather, he and his family went door to door and distributed a flier that introduced themselves and offered rides for groceries, medicine and even offered help with snow removal.
"We originally printed up 20 fliers but we needed more. We ended up giving out 40 fliers before it became too cold to keep walking,” Ahmed said.
He said his faith is also why he decided to reach out. He wants his neighbors to know that Muslims are good, peaceful and loving people.
"Islam speaks a lot about taking care of your neighbors. That was a big motivational factor for me, really," he said. "New research found that Muslims have become the most hated, most misunderstood group in the U.S, based upon foreign policy and what's happening in the Middle East.
"The reaction has been quite good. I received three letters back, and they are so appreciative. They said my letters motivated them and they are now also welcoming other people."
He added: “It is just good neighbors to make sure that not only I remain safe from the bitter cold, but I also make sure that others are also protected during the bitter cold.”
Ahmed and his wife say, so far, no one has taken them up on their offer of assistance. Cold or not, they can stop by for some hot tea and some homemade samosa.
"They are delicious. My wife said now that you have opened our doors to everyone, we better have enough samosas in the house," he said, laughing.