Neighbor stories

The Most Neighborly Moments of 2017

Written by Team Nextdoor

We love seeing all the different ways neighbors come together to create stronger and safer communities. Whether it’s supporting a local lemonade stand, reuniting a family with their lost pet, or lending a helping hand during natural disasters, the power of uniting neighbors has never been more clear.

As we reflect back on what has been an incredible year, the power of connected communities has never been more apparent as neighbors came together. With that in mind, we want to share some of the most neighborly moments of 2017 and celebrate the more than 175,000 neighborhoods across the world that are using Nextdoor to truly make the world a better place. Here’s a look back at 2017:

Houston neighbors used Nextdoor in unprecedented ways during Hurricane Harvey: While Hurricane Harvey was one of the worst natural disasters that our country has ever experienced, it did shine a light on the profound value of a connected community. More than 120 Houston agencies – and over 3,000 Houston neighborhoods – utilized Nextdoor as a lifeline to share crucial updates and coordinate rescues. By working together, Houstonians brought light to the darkest of times.

Santa Rosa nurse, Payton Walton, gives back to wildfire victims: For one neighbor in Santa Rosa, the recent fires that struck several counties in Northern California turned into an opportunity to tap into the power of compassionate communities. Nurse Payton Walton mobilized thousands of people with a single post on Nextdoor, which led to the creation of the “Family Matching” program that has helped over 250 families who lost everything. Payton’s work has helped return a sense of normalcy to many .

Neighbors were the first line of defense during the Grenfell Tower Fire: In London, residents turned to Nextdoor to provide timely updates, coordinate volunteer efforts, and support survivors of the Grenfell Tower Fire, the worst domestic tragedy the UK has experienced post world war.

A Saint Louis community rallied in support of refugee families: Good neighbor winner Jessica Bueler, and over 450 neighbors in St. Louis, came together to support the relocation of 15 refugee families. Jessica and her team organized several donation drives and were active in finding the families new jobs and places to live. Thanks to their warm welcome, these families were able to feel at home in the US.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail

The Sacramento Police Department uses Nextdoor to reduce crime: Sacramento’s police department has been using Nextdoor since May 2013 and is one of our most active partners. They post regularly to their community on Nextdoor to share safety tips, updates about recent crime, and sign-up instructions for neighborhood watch classes. This year, the department was able to reduce the burglary rate by 17.5%, an achievement they credit to Nextdoor and the relationship they’ve formed with Sacramento neighbors.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail

Memphis neighbors donate money from their lemonade stand to local veteran in need: Memphis neighbor, Selena Silvestro, and her local group called Little Helpers hosted a lemonade stand and raised over $800 for Lorenzo Rhynes, a disabled veteran in need of household assistance. Selena posted about the lemonade stand on Nextdoor and caught the attention of local contractors who ultimately donated over $15,000 worth of construction materials for a new ramp, garage, and bathroom for Lorenzo.

Neighbors send urgent alerts on Nextdoor to find lost man: An elderly man with dementia who had gone missing from his retirement home was saved within 8 hours thanks to a helpful neighbor who recognized the man from an urgent alert post shared on Nextdoor by the Durham Police Department.

Neighbors find missing 5 year-old girl after school puts her on wrong bus: After accidentally being placed on the wrong bus after school, 5 year old Vivianna landed in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Luckily, a neighbor found her and posted an urgent alert on Nextdoor, quickly reuniting her with her family.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail

Neighbors show their love for their favorite local farmers market: Neighbors in the greater Dekalb area are big supporters of the Dekalb Farmers Market, which has been delighting neighbors since 1977. In fact, the Market is the most recommended business on Nextdoor with over 2,000 recommendations from Dekalb neighbors. The Market was also voted a Neighborhood Favorite in over 560 neighborhoods in the greater Dekalb area.

San Antonio neighbors rejoice in historic snow and spread holiday cheer on Nextdoor: It’s been 30 years since San Antonio has seen more than two inches of snow, so neighbors celebrated this year’s historic snowfall by building hundreds of snowmen and sharing the photos on Nextdoor.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail

Bossy the Cow finds a new home: Neighbor, Marie Sebastien-Tavitian, a rancher in Agoura Hills posted to her Nextdoor neighborhood about a cow in search of a new home. Bossy, a 3-year-old pet Holstein heifer, was headed for the auction – that is, until the neighborhood came to her rescue and adopted Bossy as their newest neighbor.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail

Leave a Comment

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares
Share This
Theme is edited