In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day, Nextdoor has joined forces with the acclaimed film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood to celebrate kind neighbors around the country.
We asked neighbors to share a story of their kindest neighbor in the spirit of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks. Take inspiration from some of our favorite submissions for ways big and small to spread kindness around your neighborhood!
Kind Neighbor: Nan H.
“Nan is amazing. She draws words of encouragement in chalk on the sidewalk and hands out treats to kids walking to school on the first day. She picks up trash in common areas, volunteers her time on the landscaping committee, and even picks up debris in the roadway at the entrance and exit to the neighborhood. Every neighborhood needs more people like Nan and the Meridian neighborhood is lucky to have her!” -Jennifer F. in Austin, TX
Kind Neighbor: Bob S.
“Bob is a 74-year-old retired Air Force pilot and has been the warmest and most caring neighbor in our Great Falls Crossing neighborhood. For two decades, he has been opening his home for the holidays to neighbors and friends by leaving a note on his door saying, “If you don’t have any place to celebrate or family nearby, join us for good company, food, and stories.” And that’s exactly what happens! People from all walks of life – those whose children live far away, people who lost loved ones, people who cannot travel far – gather around the table to call Bob’s house home for the holidays. Bob exemplifies what it is to be a good neighbor and I cannot imagine our neighborhood without him. I am so looking forward to the many years to come.” -Ayse B. in Reston, VA
Kind Neighbor: Dana S.
“My son Jacob has ADHD and really wanted a service animal. I did not have the resources to provide one, so I posted on Nextdoor and Dana, among other neighbors, offered to let Jacob play with and walk her dogs. Nextdoor has helped my family in so many ways!” -Kristen L. in Menlo Park, CA
Kind Neighbor: Yvette H.
“Yvette and her husband Brian moved into the neighborhood about 4 years ago. Before they could even unpack, they sent invitations to everyone in the neighborhood to join Nextdoor. As part of their invitation, they invited everyone over for a yard party. This was the first time we had all gathered together and since then, we now have an annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Summer party that attracts over 50 neighbors each time. Additionally, they get our mail and take our garbage to the curb when we are out of town and their five children are like our own grandchildren. I can’t say enough, but I can say that we were offered to sell recently and because of them there is no way we could consider moving.” -Shannon R. in Las Cruces, NM
Kind Neighbor: Staci M.
“Staci works tirelessly obtaining grants and donations for our community garden and events like National Night Out. Staci and her husband, John, have no children of their own but they volunteer constantly at the local inner city high school. They prepare meals for the school’s band and drill teams every football game and even pack lunches for away games. Staci organizes and has even paid for repairs to the band’s instruments and uniforms. I believed she’s sewn a few of them herself! I am grateful to them as neighbors and community leaders.” -Michelle M. in Columbus, OH
Kind Neighbor: Rob B.
“My dear friend Rob purchased a portrait that I painted of his friend Barry as a surprise to honor him for his work reviving the regatta event at the lake in Eagles Mere. I requested that instead of paying me he should donate the cost of the portrait to the friends of the arts and the athletic association. Unbeknownst to me, he credited all of the work to me at the presentation. He is a seriously kind person that brings much happiness to his neighbors.” -Diana M. in Eagles Mere, PA
Kind Neighbor: Pam B.
“My job is very physically demanding and I often come home too tired to cook. I have lived next to Pam for 17 years and since I have no family here, she always invites me to eat with her and has even welcomed me to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with her family. She also makes sure I am never alone on Easter, my birthday, or Super Bowl Sunday! We love to laugh together and have had some belly laughs ‘til tears ran down our faces. She is always available to talk, listen, and eat ice cream! We have shared many happy times, troubling times, and discouraging times and I do so appreciate Pam’s honesty and openness. I consider myself blessed to be one of her friends and am thankful to have moved to this neighborhood 17 Februaries ago.” -Nancy D. in Louisville, KY
Kind Neighbor: Valeri B.
“Valerie is the best kind of neighbor. She has the tablespoon of cumin when you need it, picks up your mail when you are out of town, and routinely celebrates birthdays with homemade lemons bars. She is the woman who you put on your kids’ emergency list as ‘next to call’. You know she will be there in an instant if anything should go awry – which in my case has happened on more than one occasion. She remembers your birthday when everyone else forgets, lingers on the sidewalk when she sees you need to chat, and even offers to walk your dog when the work day goes longer than expected. On one particular morning, she rang my bell and asked for my car keys. I had gotten home from the hospital late the night before and was still out of sorts. To minimize fuss and out of great consideration for me she quickly blurted out that my car window had been broken and she wanted to take care of it. An hour and a half later she returned my car with TWO windows replaced, and then swept up the glass from the street and out of my plants. Coming from a place of neighborly love she saw a problem, not her own, and generously and thoughtfully went about making it right for someone else. That is the kind of neighbor you want living next door. One that has your back no questions asked. She inspires me to do my part and be that kind of neighbor for others.” -Amy W. in Piedmont, CA
Do you have a neighbor who has gone above and beyond to cultivate kindness in your neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below!
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It is heartwarming and refreshing to see these acts of neighborly kindness…We need to see more of this type of information. There are so many of these acts going on each and every day but all we see is the disgusting examples of how bad someone can be…Would love to see more of this. Please share more often..Thank you…
IT is no Secret that EVERYONE Needs A Good Neighbor ( Especially so, When THEY Have Become OLD and Not Able to GET around And Take CARE Of THINGS as WELL as THEY “”USTACOULD.”’ People are GOOD>>wherever you May BE.. AND Kindness Does Make A SAD HEART Feel Lifted UP ! I`m So thankful for My Neighbors !! Remember. FOLKS ! WE are All in this “Game Of LIFE>>Together !!
With due respect, I don’t understand what this is about? I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years and have yet to be told how to treat those who live in the same? I don’t understand why you think people do not have friendship with their neighborhoods. How many of us do things for those close to us without having to be complimented because it is the thing to do. What has happened to do things for others that no one knows about. Why do so many need their ego’s filled?
I completely understand what you are saying Linda. That would be my generation too with just doing acts of kindness without fanfare. But our country’s climate has changed and there is so much negative news that bombards us daily. It’s nice to read about positive acts that still do occur on a daily basis. It gives me hope and comfort in this often caustic climate we live in. Thanks for your thoughts!
excellent thinking
I work to be a kind neighbor by picking up loose trash, welcoming new people to the neighbor and keeping up the neighborhood directory along with my husband.
What wonderful stories.
Thank you so much for this blog.
It is so good to know that there are many kind people in the world instead of being concerned about the people who are not.
I Left A Message About A Kind Neighbor That Lives In Liesure Manor MHP In Aberdeen Wa. His Name Is MURF. Hes A Senior@ A VERY VERY VERY GOOD MAN@ NEIGHBOR. He Should Recieve Something. He Has A VERY BIG HEART. TY
I think this is a great way to recognize persons who think outside of their own box! They are kind and thoughtful and we all need to follow their examples. This world is still full of wonderful people. and as Abe Lincoln once said, “strangers are just friends you haven’t made yet.”
Go outside and sing this song loudly!
It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So let’s make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we’re together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you please,
Won’t you please,
Please won’t you be my neighbor?
Thanks a lot for sharing those special acts of our neighbors. Those are important lessons to follow up/imitate, we need to help one another. THANKS again. I am learning my lesson.
My across street neighbor Nate (at Le Clare Shores) helped me to take a heavy piece of furniture at home some weeks ago.
Nash, Max snd Willie are also neighbors that helped me several times.
I am blessed to be in this neighborhood.
That would be great. Or just going outside and signing in the street.
Great act of kindness goes out to neighbor
BARB KREGER’kg muskego on Fennimore Lane
After my hip replacement surgery, Barb was kind enough to come over every day, MON-Friday for 9 weeks to take my two tiny dogs outside twice a day for me until I was able to manage on my own, as well as tall and keep my company one hour a day !
Barb even driventk my surgeonnoffjce to picknup script refil and drop off at Walgreens! Barb went over and above for Great Kind Neighbor Award!!