🌟Neighbor Spotlight: Bonnie Lapora

Bonnie Lapora has been working hard to create community in the Grandview Neighborhood since 1966. Whether she is rescuing a turtle or updating a very robust neighborhood directory, she is always taking care of her neighbors and making sure every resident feels included, all 147 families.  

She gives a new neighbor a few weeks to get settled before she rings on the doorbell to introduce herself and ask if the newcomers want to be included in the directory. This is how she met Joy Oram, the resident who nominated Bonnie for Neighbor of the Month. “It’s inspiring that she gives so much of her time and resources to make Grandview a welcoming and safe place,” says Oram. Bonnie spends a lot of her time driving and walking her neighborhood, keeping an eye out for anyone in need.

Bonnie began publishing her directory in 1994 when she worked in the print shop at Command Sciences. The directory not only has contact information for the residents, it includes a neighborhood map, personal safety and awareness tips from the police, emergency phone numbers for everything from the sheriff to the hospitals to credit agencies, and a detailed description of how a healthy neighborhood watch functions. It is truly an invaluable resource. To protect privacy Bonnie only gives the directory to those who consent to be listed in it, and she publishes an updated version every few years.

Mrs. Lapora loves keeping people informed but also gathers everyone for fun and connecting events. She organizes an annual block party and a monthly ladies tea. She enjoys sewing and hand-crafted 27 door prizes for the most recent neighborhood gathering. She sewed masks in covid and distributed them to neighbors. When asked why she does everything she does, she replied “For the joy of it. It makes me feel good at night. I love my neighbors like they’re my own family.” This includes animal friends too. A few months ago a “runaway” tortoise was found in a neighborhood yard a few days after Bonnie posted that the pet was missing.

Joy and Bonnie have hopes of a more connected community, where people come out and participate in events and know one another’s stories. They are building connections together and inspiring others.

Is there someone like Bonnie Lapora in your neighborhood? Nominate them here for Neighbor of The Month!