| On May 17, 2001, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners established the annual "Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award" in
honor of a county resident who lost his life after falling while trying to rescue a neighbor's cat from a tree. This was
not the only instance of compassion and helpfulness shown by Lonnie. Neighbors tell story after story of how he could be
relied upon to help out in a number of ways-from putting up Christmas tree lights for a recently widowed woman to fighting a
brush fire until firefighters arrived. The award is meant to recognize those good neighbors who help simply because help is needed-individuals
who demonstrate the spirit shown by Lonnie Lea Napier.
The award, presented every year at the Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference in March, comes with a $2,000 prize
to the neighborhood association in which the recipient lives. If the recipient resides in an area where there isn't
an association, the Neighborhood Relations staff will work with the residents in the area to form one.
Eligibility
- Any resident of Hillsborough County.
- Must demonstrate an on-going spirit of compassion and helpfulness to his or
her neighbors.
Nominating Procedures
Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations collects nominations throughout the year from individuals, community
groups and neighborhood/homeowner associations. receive the annual award.
Obtain a nomination form:
- Online
- Write to the Office of Neighborhood Relations, P.O. Box 1110, Tampa,
FL 33601.
- Call (813) 272-5860.
Selection Process
On a quarterly basis, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners will recognize a "good neighbor." The Lonnie
Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award Selection Committee selects quarterly recipients throughout the year. At the end of every
year, the Selection Committee also makes the final decision-from among the year's quarterly recipients-on who should
receive the annual award.
The Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award Selection Committee consists of one appointed member representing their respective
Commissioner and a member of the Napier family. |
