I joined Northampton Neighbors six years ago to be part of a community in which people care about and for each other. It has succeeded beyond my early hopes. Now, with over 1,500 members, Northampton Neighbors provides free services (transportation for shopping, medical appointments or social activities; flipping mattresses; walking dogs; tech assistance, and much more) and social opportunities (friendly visits, neighborhood circles, special interest groups, mix & mingles, speaker events, and more) for older people in the Northampton-Florence-Leeds area. The unexpected surprise is how much it has given back to me. Mark Karpel
Northampton Neighbors' DoozyDo Parade
The DoozyDo Parade is a fun, whimsical, community-wide event hosted by Northampton Neighbors. Inspired by Pasadena's Doo-Dah Parade (begun in 1978) and originally intended as a fundraiser for Northampton Neighbors, it has become an intergenerational mixer, a challenge to misconceptions about older adults, an opportunity for collective effervescence, a celebration of community and a love letter to the City of Northampton. Join teams of friends, family and neighbors; bands and musical groups; local nonprofits; business sponsors; floats and vinatage cars; bagpipers and drummers; and our Grand-ish Marshals.
Our mission: To help each other maintain independence, dignity, and joy over time as we age—and engage—in place. Northampton Neighbors is free of charge and open to all, offering a range of social and volunteer opportunities, as well as services and support for members 55+ in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds.