Fourth Year of Missouri Good Neighbor Week is Sept. 28-Oct 4; Start Making Individual and Organizational Plans Now


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Residents of Missouri are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to help establish connections with their neighbors during the fourth annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week from Sept. 28 to Oct 4.

The official website for the week can be found at http://missourigoodneighborweek.com. The celebration is created, organized and supported by two organizations: University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.

Missouri Good Neighbor Week was established by legislative action in 2022 and signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Parsons on July 1. This weeklong effort was recognized nationally in May of 2023 at the annual Neighborhoods USA conference as the “Neighborhood Program of the Year for the United States.”

In 2024, over 31,000 acts of neighboring were reported across Missouri, 20 individuals were recognized as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” and five cities earned the title of Missouri’s Most Neighborly City: Houston, Excelsior Springs, Sikeston, Springfield and Ferguson.

“The week is a time to honor and strengthen the bonds that make our Missouri neighborhoods and communities thrive. We invite everyone to join in celebrating the spirit of neighborliness by taking actions that foster kindness, collaboration, and connection in neighborhoods across this state,” said David Burton, community development specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Burton was the creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week and advocated for it with help from his state representative Bishop Davidson.

PARTNERS NEEDED

We are inviting local businesses, organizations, and individuals to become official partners in supporting this statewide celebration of kindness, connection, and community.

For a $250 sponsorship, you can help Missouri Good Neighbor Week recognize and reward neighbors who are making a difference. 

Want to be a sponsor of Missouri Good Neighbor Week this year? Get the details online.

TAKE ACTION, BUILD CONNECTIONS

Cities and neighborhoods are encouraged to organize events, block parties, volunteer clean-up days, or neighbor meetups to build lasting connections. Individuals can also participate by:

  • Checking in on elderly or isolated neighbors.
  • Offering to help with small tasks, like gardening or grocery shopping.
  • Hosting a neighborhood potluck like Table Together (tabletogether.org).
  • Sharing resources or skills to support one another.

“Missouri Good Neighbor Week reminds us that small gestures can have a big impact,” said Jennifer Prophete, Director of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “In a fast-paced world, taking time to connect with those living closest to us fosters trust and creates a sense of belonging that strengthens our communities.”

According to the “State of Neighboring in Missouri” research done by MU Extension, most Missourians now see a good neighbor as someone who respects their privacy (72%) and is quiet (67%). This marks a cultural shift from the past, where neighbors were more socially connected and engaged, and makes efforts like Missouri Good Neighbor Week even more important.

NOMINATING NEIGHBORS, REPORTING ACTIONS

Nominating top engaged neighbors is easily done at the official website and should be done prior to Sept. 28. Simply click on the appropriate link and answering questions on a simple survey completes either the nominating or the reporting process. All engaged neighbor nominees will receive a unique keychain by mail and the top 10 nominees statewide will receive $100.

Get the details on how you can nominate someone to be Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbor in this article..

Starting Sept. 26, individuals can start reporting their own neighborly activity and actions on the website. Contact information submitted is used for reporting purposes and for mailing of prizes. A submission of a neighborly action is also an entry to the statewide random drawing for more than $1000 in prizes.

If you do an act of neighboring and report it online, you will be entered in a random drawing for prizes.

BECOME MISSOURI'S MOST NEIGHBORLY CITY

In 2024, we recognized five cities as Missouri's most neighborly. There is some science in how this is determined but most if it is based on activity in that during during Missouri Good Neighbor Week.

Details on how your city can win the title of Missouri's Most Friendly City. All reporting is done via the Missouri Good Neighbor Week website and must be reported during the week or prior to the end of the following week.

SHARE YOUR PLANS AND STORIES

Community leaders, schools, churches, and civic groups are encouraged to submit their Missouri Good Neighbor Week plans to be featured on social media and reports. Individuals can also share stories or photos of past or upcoming neighboring actions to help inspire others.

Download our communication kit and use our pre-written releases or posts. Art work and more is available in this folder.

“Springfield was honored to be named one of Missouri’s Most Neighborly Cities in 2024,” said former Mayor Ken McClure. “That recognition came from residents stepping up in small, meaningful ways—and we’re excited to see even more involvement this year.”

For example, in Springfield, a group has planned an the Overlay Art Festival that focuses on connection to specifically coincide with Missouri Good Neighbor Week.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI GOOD NEIGHBOR WEEK

Missouri's Governor signed legislation HB1738 on July 1, 2022, establishing the special week and making Missouri the first state to designate a week for neighbors. The bill was introduced by Representative Bishop Davidson, a resident of Republic.

The celebration period begins on Sept. 28, which is also National Good Neighbor Day (first created in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter).

EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE

“Neighboring is the art and skill of building relationships with the people who live in the closest proximity to you,” said Burton. “It offers tremendous health benefits, combats depression, and builds more vibrant communities. And everyone can do it—one conversation, one act of kindness, one invitation at a time.”

To learn more, report actions, or nominate a neighbor, visit missourigoodneighborweek.com. Let’s show the nation how Missouri leads the way—one neighbor at a time.

###

National Media Inquiries:

David Burton

Community Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

Email: burtond@missouri.edu | Tel: 417-848-3442 

Website: http://missourigoodneighborweek.com

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