It was the Big Apple Greeters, who offered the first 'welcome program' of its kind back in 1992.

Big Apple Greeters, a nonprofit organization in which resident volunteers guide visitors around various neighborhoods, has given twice as many tours as a year ago.

She is a volunteer with Big Apple Greeter, a nonprofit group of about 300 New Yorkers who give their time and show off the city's diverse byways to visitors interested in more than the familiar paths.

I am a volunteer for Big Apple Greeter, and every visitor I have met tells me they now understand why people love this great city.

Many guides, who are known as Big Apple Greeters, specialize in excursions that focus on a theme or a neighborhood.

Sophie Butler replies Big Apple Greeter (www.bigapplegreeter.org) is a volunteer service where residents give two- to four-hour tours to small groups.

He volunteered every week for nine years as a guide and translator for Big Apple Greeters of New York.

On weekends he would volunteer as a Big Apple Greeter, taking tourists around the city for free.

Ms. Serje is a volunteer with Big Apple Greeter, a nonprofit group that provides visitors with a local guide to the lesser-known mysteries of the metropolis.

B1 The Avenues Less Traveled The 300 volunteers with Big Apple Greeter show off New York City's diverse byways to visitors interested in more than the familiar paths, and at no cost.