Neighbors from around the globe shared why they love their neighborhood
Our neighborhoods have never been more important. To celebrate, we kicked off the #LoveYourNeighborhood Awards to showcase the people and places that make you love your neighborhood.
Neighbors from around the globe reminded us that even the simplest of gestures can make a big impact. Check out some of our favorite #LoveYourNeighborhood stories:
Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge – Brooklyn, NY, U.S.
A group of neighbors came together to build the Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge to provide fresh food to those in need. A local architect, contractors, a muralist, farmers, and kids donated their time and skills to design, beautify, and fill the fridge each day of the week. Neighbor Caroline decided to spearhead a grand opening of the fridge, posting on Nextdoor and inviting neighbors to come “plug in” the fridge alongside the city council, volunteers, and the church choir. The Community Fridge has become an iconic neighborhood fixture, with long lines of neighbors with food to spare as well as neighbors in need of a healthy meal.
A local cooking initiative ensures no neighbors feel lonely – Bloemenbuurt-Noord, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Kees, a neighbor in Amsterdam’s Bloemenbuurt-Noord neighborhood, is a force of good in his community. Twice a week, Kees brings food to those in need and regularly pops into his neighbors’ homes for a quick chat. He has a knack for quickly finding out what his neighbors need and how he can help, often taking on small household repairs. According to his neighbors, Kees has an eye for lonely people and ensures that they have a little extra support.
Ethiopian New Year Celebration – Lorton, VA, U.S.
Lloyd in Virginia shared a story about being welcomed to the home of a new neighbor, Martha, for a traditional meal to celebrate Ethiopian New Year. They’ve now all become like family in only a few short months.
Outdoor events and community spaces safely bring the neighborhood together – Gloucestershire, England, U.K.
Throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns, Berry Hill neighbors organized outdoor events to keep everyone’s spirits lifted. It began at Easter, when neighbors ran a tractor rally to safely watch from home. Then, they refurbished a local social club transforming it into a post-lockdown meeting place. Berry Hill’s local rugby club even joined in by organizing outdoor youth activities that were open to all surrounding neighborhoods. Seeing the value these initiatives were bringing to the community, the group raised funds to purchase and install two defibrillators in the community telephone kiosks. The phone booths have been painted blue by the community to show support for NHS workers. Neighbors also use them to donate items they wish for others to have such as books or seed packets for Spring flowering.
Neighborhood Favorite Thornhill Coffee Shop – Oakland, CA, U.S.
Clare posted on Nextdoor about her favorite local café, Thornhill Coffee Shop. She made sure to give owner Thyda a shout-out for always remembering customers by name and showing up every day with a positive attitude. Over 1,000 neighbors reacted to the post, many commenting that Thyda was a staple to the community, giving Thornhill some well-deserved recognition and visibility.
A community garden blooms from house fire rubble – Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
After watching in terror as his neighbor’s house went up in flames, hobby gardener Andy knew he had to make something good come out of this tragedy. To celebrate that his neighbors were safe, he collected scraps from what was left of his neighbors’ home and pulled some of the harvested vegetables he had been growing in his greenhouse to create a bountiful garden that everyone in the neighborhood could enjoy. Featuring kale, tomatoes, and zucchini, the garden is available for everyone to enjoy and has turned the remains of a tragic day into a gathering place for all to tend to, to gather around and to grab a healthy bite.
A Hogwarts birthday for an 8-year-old neighbor – Golden, CO, U.S.
Christina planned a Harry-Potter themed scavenger hunt for her daughter’s 8th birthday that was to end at their local library. To her and the birthday girl’s surprise, the librarians added their own magic at the end of the hunt, contributing invitations and bus tickets to Hogwarts, and pins labeled with the Hogwarts houses for the guests. It was these thoughtful touches from neighbors that made her daughter’s party extra special.
A photo project that brings neighbors together – Milton Keynes, England, U.K.
When lockdowns in the United Kingdom left neighbor Abiodun with little work, he turned to a passion, photography. Taking his camera to the streets of Milton Keynes, Abiodun snapped photographs of his neighborhood and shared them with his neighbors on Nextdoor. Quickly Abiodun’s posts became a place whereby neighbors could come together to share knowledge of Milton Keynes. Some of the places in the photos neighbors knew and they would share stories. Other places they didn’t know but the posts encouraged them to go on walks to try and find them. Both types of photos inspired a renewed sense of pride among neighbors. With the lockdown now lifted, Abiodun has continued to post his weekly photos by popular demand, providing a welcome space for people in Milton Keynes to continue coming together to celebrate their local area.
Ms. Muriel and her bicycle dog – Greenwood, IN, U.S.
Indiana neighbor Nicole noticed a woman and her little dog regularly biking around the neighborhood. She soon discovered that the lady, Ms. Muriel, rides her bike seven miles every day. Nicole gave Ms. Muriel a shout-out on Nextdoor with the uplifting message, “Keep on riding, friends,” and received over 4,300 positive reactions.
Local photographer captures the essence of the pandemic – Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
Brunswick neighbor, Maite, captured this photo on the way home from work and posted on Nextdoor that he loved how multicultural his neighborhood felt. Maite shared, “Old and new generations of immigrants mingle and coexist in this modern yet vintage area of Melbourne. Here, a beautiful grandmother in a suburban Brunswick street, probably getting her home ready for a day with the family … what a beautiful neighborhood to call home.”
It’s never too late to share why you love your neighborhood. Post now and keep the kindness going.
Thank you for inspiring us every day — and helping cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighborhood they can rely on.
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