Big Apple Greeter (1992-present)
“Big Apple Greeter” (http://www.bigapplegreeter.org) was started in 1992 by Lynn Brooks. It’s New York’s version of Welcome Wagon. Volunteer residents show visitors what’s what about New York City.
Big Apple Greeter
Our History
Founded in 1992 by Lynn Brooks, Big Apple Greeter was the world’s first free “Welcome Visitor” program.
In her travels, Lynn met many who yearned to visit New York City, but were fearful and overwhelmed by its scale. She wanted the world to know the city as she did—a series of delightful little towns, diverse neighborhoods of mom-and-pop stores, and fun places to dine. Above all, a place with friendly people who would go out of their way to say “welcome.”
Big Apple Greeter’s nearly 300 volunteers now accompany about 5,000 visitors a year to more than 100 neighborhoods in all five boroughs. These new friends have come from all 50 states, more than 100 countries and have been greeted in more than 20 languages.
31 May 1992, New York (NY) Times, pg. XX3:
New Yorkers
As “Greeters”
New Yorkers are invited to participate in a grass-roots effort to boost a major New York industry, tourism, by becoming a part of a network of volunteers to help visitors feel more welcome. The “Big Apple Greeter” program started this month by Ruth W. Messinger, the Manhattan Borough President, pairs volunteers with out-of-towners.
16 October 1994, New York (NY) Times, pg. XX16:
Big Apple Greeter matches visitors with volunteers who show the hidden treasures of their neighborhoods in three- to four-hour visits.
(...)
LYNN BROOKS
Director, Big Apple Greeter
New York
Twitter
Big Apple Greeter
@BigAppleGreeter
What’s the difference between visiting with a Big Apple Greeter & a tour guide? http://ow.ly/1dotE #NYC
4:30 PM · Mar 2, 2010·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Kuldeep Sharma
@Kuldeep9Sharma
Replying to @Kuldeep9Sharma
11. Lynne Brooks (age at startup: 60)
Lynne Brooks won the Later-Life Story Contest at the Center for Productive Longevity with her story about quitting a job she didn’t like at age 59. So she set up her own non-profit business, Big Apple Greeter, in 1992.
11/n
9:57 PM · Sep 27, 2019·Twitter Web App
The Straits Times (Singapore)
Think you know New York? Check out fragrant coffee, hip-hop and virgin forests in its vibrant less-known boroughs
Some of the Big Apple’s most vibrant experiences and sights can be found in the lesser-known boroughs - Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn - so make time to check them out
Rachel Lees
PUBLISHED DEC 1, 2019, 5:00 AM SGT
(...)
I meet a volunteer from Big Apple Greeter (bigapplegreeter.org), a non-profit organisation that connects visitors with New Yorkers, who will take you for a walk around a neighbourhood for free.
Twitter
Big Apple Greeter
@BigAppleGreeter
Even after this past year New York is still (and will forever be) New York. See below a German couple repping our Big Apple Greeter shirts with a poem to the resilience of New York City, written by Lester Barnett.
#bigapplegreeter #internationalgreeterassociation #germany
11:20 AM · Apr 17, 2021·Hootsuite Inc.
twitter
Big Apple Greeter
@BigAppleGreeter
During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the volunteers of Big Apple Greeter who are ready to help New York City recover by welcoming visitors from around the world.
#nationalvolunteerweek #bigapplegreeter #internationalgreeterassociation #nystrong
6:24 PM · Apr 22, 2021·Hootsuite Inc.