5 Miles From Syracuse: Liverpool Named 2026 Nicest Place in America
Reader's Digest selected the small village for its volunteer groups, including a shoe repair shop that has collected 300,000 pairs of shoes since 2011.
By James Foster ·
Liverpool, New York, has been named Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America for 2026. The village, located about 5 miles north of Syracuse, won the annual contest based on resident generosity and community service. The award recognizes towns where neighbors actively support one another through daily acts of kindness.
The contest began in 2017 with reader nominations. Reader's Digest editors review the entries, and a panel of judges narrows the field. The judges focus on community spirit, volunteerism, and everyday kindness. This year's panel included Craig Melvin, co-anchor of NBC's Today show, author Mitch Albom, author Mónica Guzmán, StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark, and restaurateur Molly Irani.
Liverpool's selection highlights specific local organizations and individuals. Operation Northern Comfort, founded in 2005 by Norm Andrzejewski, started as Operation Southern Comfort. Volunteers originally traveled to Louisiana to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. The group changed its name in 2012 and shifted its construction efforts to local needs. In 2025, the organization completed 57 projects, including ramps and lifts for residents with accessibility challenges. A local crawfish festival raised $40,000 to fund these efforts this year.
Ralph Rotella, a Liverpool resident, also contributed to the village's reputation. He operates Discount Shoe Repair in downtown Syracuse. His shoe drive collected more than 45,000 pairs in 2025. Since 2011, the drive has distributed 300,000 pairs of shoes to people in need. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church was also recognized for its support of a woman experiencing homelessness. Congregants provided food, showers, and laundry assistance. A connection with a Syracuse nonprofit helped her secure an apartment.
The village offers other local features beyond its charitable work. Liverpool sits along Onondaga Lake and is known for Heid's of Liverpool, a hot dog stand. The area also hosts American High, a film studio that moved into a former school building in 2017.
Simone McCarthy, a Liverpool resident, described the local ethos to Reader's Digest. "You don't have to go out and save the world," she said. "Just save your block."
