We are thrilled to announce the recipient of the 2024 Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award… Leah Bayer!
We are proud to announce that Leah Bayer was chosen as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award. This esteemed accolade recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and selflessness in making Nantucket a better place through their unwavering commitment to the community. Leah Bayer was honored at the Dreamland’s annual fundraiser, The DreamBIG Event on July 28, 2024.
Selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising Dreamland’s board of directors and prominent community leaders, Leah Bayer of Aunt Leah’s Fudge, exemplifies the compassion and service fostered by Fred Rogers throughout her life. With her unparalleled contributions and tireless efforts, Leah Bayer has left an indelible impact on the lives of countless individuals in Nantucket.
Among the numerous testimonials submitted in support of Leah Bayer’s nomination, her dedication to our local community’s first responders stood out. One nominator expressed, “Aunt Leah marks every major holiday on her calendar and makes sure she delivers fudge to the Nantucket hospital, fire station and police departments rain or shine. She takes care of so many service workers with drinks and snacks who are out doing their daily duties. She takes the time to get to know people and their family and always asks how they and their families are doing.” Leah Bayer has been self-owner and operator of ‘Aunt Leah’s Fudge’ for over 40 Years.
“Leah Bayer’s exceptional qualities of compassion, community service, and selflessness truly embody the spirit of the Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award. Her love of this community and the thousands of lives, including generations of families, that she has impacted is incredible. Just stop by her shop and ask her about the hundreds of holiday cards she has received from families over the years and she will show you their personalized wedding or special occasion “favors box” for cranberries that she has designed for children of the families who have frequented her shop for decades. She is truly a ‘good neighbor’ and an absolute gift to this community. She takes immense pride in the relationships she has fostered on this island and we are truly lucky she has made this island her home. We are honored to recognize her and celebrate her outstanding contributions and efforts in spreading love and joy to those in this community..”
– Alicia Carney, Executive Director of Nantucket Dreamland
