Liverpool Named Nicest Place in America for 2026
The Village of Liverpool, a one-square-mile municipality near Syracuse, New York, has been named the Nicest Place in America for 2026 by Reader’s Digest. The magazine announced the honor in a story late last month, recognizing the 2,600-resident community for an extraordinary culture of grassroots volunteerism and localized kindness that impacts residents far beyond its borders, as reported by rd.com.
National Recognition by Today Show Judges
The annual contest, launched by the magazine in 2017, relies on reader nominations vetted by an editorial team and a high-profile judging panel. For the 2026 award, the judging panel included Today co-anchor Craig Melvin and Al Roker, alongside Tuesdays with Morrie author Mitch Albom, according to hudsonvalleypost.com. Editor-in-Chief Leigh Belz Ray stated that Liverpool serves as an ideal example of a place where kindness is woven throughout the fabric of everyday life.
Operation Northern Comfort Drives Regional Support
Liverpool’s case for the national title centers heavily on Operation Northern Comfort, a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by the late Norm “Mr. Liverpool” Andrzejewski, according to rd.com. Originally named Operation Southern Comfort, the group initially sent Central New York volunteers to Louisiana to help communities rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. In 2012, the organization rebranded as Operation Northern Comfort and shifted its focus to projects closer to home.
Today, the organization primarily builds wheelchair ramps and lifts for area residents facing accessibility challenges. Project manager Rick Pelotte noted to rd.com that while many Syracuse suburbs are characterized by residential sprawl, Liverpool maintains a stronger identity. The nonprofit completed 57 accessibility projects in 2025 and hosts an annual crawfish festival in Syracuse’s Clinton Square that drew over 6,000 attendees and raised $40,000.
Local Residents Drive Daily Charitable Efforts in Syracuse
Beyond organized nonprofits, individual residents drive daily charitable efforts within the village. Local resident Ralph Rotella runs Discount Shoe Repair in downtown Syracuse and collected more than 45,000 pairs of shoes in 2025 through a community shoe drive, bringing his total contributions since 2011 to 300,000 pairs distributed to the Syracuse Rescue Mission. A local church group also coordinated large-scale outreach, distributing hundreds of backpacks, food items, shoes, and games to children in a single day.
Village Mayor Stacy Finney noted that the supportive atmosphere is deeply ingrained, with new homeowners frequently observing that neighbors routinely stop for friendly conversation on the street, as reported by hudsonvalleypost.com. This localized culture is exemplified by neighbors Simone McCarthy and Raiss Muya, whose relationship inspired the magazine’s highlight on the community. McCarthy regularly brings meals and groceries to Muya’s family, while Muya rebuilt a snow-damaged fence protecting her driveway, illustrating McCarthy’s guiding philosophy: “You don’t have to save the world, you just have to save your own block.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Award
How many residents live in the Village of Liverpool?
The village has a population of approximately 2,600 residents packed into roughly one square mile just outside of Syracuse, New York.
Who founded Operation Northern Comfort?
The organization was founded in 2005 by the late Norm “Mr. Liverpool” Andrzejewski under the original name Operation Southern Comfort before rebranding in 2012.
What are some notable local landmarks in Liverpool?
The village is known for Onondaga Lake Park, the historic hot dog restaurant Heid’s of Liverpool, Johnson Park, and its unique historical connection to salt potatoes and the Salt Museum.
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