by Al Ellis, BWNA VP and New Neighbor Welcoming Project Coordinator
Amid precarious times for existing home sales, resilient Beaumont-Wilshire continues to attract an eclectic array of buyers — well over 100 this year — and BWNA continues to welcome them. Initiated four years ago, the New Neighbor Welcoming Project enlists volunteers to greet neighborhood newcomers with a welcome packet containing a discount card good at over 20 local businesses* along with welcoming letters from the presidents of BWNA and the Beaumont Business Association.
Typical of recipient responses was this gratifying message from Casandra and Daniel Ryan, who moved into their Beaumont-Wilshire home last spring:
“We just wanted to thank you for the warm welcome and say what a breath of fresh air it is to live in such an inviting community. We have met tons of neighbors as we work on the yard. So excited to grow roots here in Beaumont-Wilshire!” Casandra & Daniel Ryan.
Gratifying as well is feedback from the volunteers doing the delivering:
“My wife and I have found delivering new neighbor welcoming packets to be hugely enjoyable. We’ve been met with smiles of surprise when we mention why we are there and words of enthusiasm and praise for the friendliness of the neighborhood.” BWNA Board Secretary, Patti Koehler
“I’ve heard a number of times that they moved into the neighborhood after starting families … looking harder at school districts. I’ve never received anything but a ‘thank you so much’ response to our simple act of making contact with new neighbors.” BWNA Board Member, John Sandie
“My husband and I arrived at our destination to find the woman of the house, who was embarrassed to be in her pajamas. I assured her she had every right to be in her jammies. After much laughter, she expressed appreciation for the warm welcome to the neighborhood.” Newsletter Editor and BWNA Board Member, Susan Trabucco
For information about the evolution of the New Neighbor Welcoming Project and how you can participate, check out the article entitled “New Neighbor Welcoming Project — Past and Present” on the BWNA website’s blog page, BWNApdx.org/blog.
*A big thanks to our participating local merchants!
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