Nominate a Good Neighbor
Do you know someone on Nantucket who shows up for others without being asked? Who volunteers their time, shares their talents, and makes this island a better place, not because it’s their job, but because it’s who they are?
Nantucket Dreamland is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award, presented at the Dreamland’s annual fundraiser, the DreamBIG Event, on July 17, 2026.
Who is eligible? Any Nantucket resident, year-round or seasonal, whose charitable service and community contributions go above and beyond. The nominee’s activities must be separate from their professional duties, and they cannot receive any monetary or personal benefit from the work being recognized.
How are nominees evaluated? The selection committee, composed of Dreamland board members and community leaders, will consider the lasting impact of the nominee’s contributions, the depth and length of their service, the degree to which their work might be considered above and beyond, and the extent to which their peers recognize and value what they do.
The 2026 recipient will be announced on June 17, 2026 and presented at the Dreamland’s annual fundraiser, the DreamBIG Event, on July 17, 2026.
Nominations close June 1, 2026.
The Nantucket Dreamland named Laurie Richards as the recipient of its 2025 Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award, which was presented during the non-profit performing arts center’s DreamBIG Gala on July 18, 2025.
This award honors an individual who embodies the kindness, humility, and selflessness of Fred Rogers, a beloved former Nantucket resident, and is presented to a community member whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the island.
Richards has been a year-round island resident for over 20 years, working as a professional photographer and owner of Pixel Perfect. Beyond her work creatively, she is known for her consistent commitment to community service on Nantucket. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she coordinated meal support for 24 local households and continues to be a reliable source of help, whether by organizing fundraisers, securing emergency housing, or connecting families with vital resources. She volunteers with The Warming Place, serves on the boards of Nantucket Education Trust and her neighborhood HOA, and is often found spreading everyday joy through small acts of kindness. Laurie’s work reflects the heart of Dreamland’s mission: building community through compassion and connection for the island.
“I can’t believe it,” Richards said. “I am so incredibly grateful to have landed in a place that appreciates and celebrates and values kindness. I am so lucky that I live here. It’s the greatest gift. This community of people has looked after me so much for so long.”
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2024 Leah Bayer
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