Celebrating Seniors Through Neighborly Acts: A Good Neighbor Week Initiative in Excelsior Springs


Clay County Senior Services, in partnership with the City of Excelsior Springs, has developed a creative way to celebrate Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2025). The initiative highlights the value of building intergenerational connections while encouraging simple, thoughtful acts of kindness toward older adults in the community.

How the Program Works

The program invites residents to choose a senior neighbor and perform a kind gesture to brighten their day. Participants can select from a list of suggested activities, such as:

  • Taking out the trash

  • Helping with yard work

  • Bringing in mail

  • Running an errand

  • Assisting with technology

  • Making a cheerful card

  • Offering a ride

  • Doing a small home repair

  • Baking cookies or

  • Inviting a neighbor over for coffee

After completing the task, residents fill out a simple Good Neighbor Week registration form describing the act of kindness and a little about the neighbor they helped. Completed forms can be turned in at the Wellness Café inside the Excelsior Springs Community Center (500 Tiger Drive).

As a thank-you, participants receive their choice of a FREE regular menu shake or a frozen yogurt with two toppings. Forms must be submitted by October 31, 2025, and can be returned during the café’s posted hours.

Why This Matters

This initiative does more than encourage a week of kindness. It addresses two important community needs:

  1. Reducing Isolation Among Seniors: Many older adults live alone or have limited mobility, making it difficult to stay connected. A simple visit, small repair, or shared cup of coffee can provide emotional support and foster a sense of belonging.

  2. Creating Opportunities for Intergenerational Connection: By encouraging neighbors of all ages—including families with children—to connect with seniors, the program strengthens social ties across generations. Children and teens who participate also learn firsthand the importance of respect, care, and service.

  3. Celebrating Community Spirit: Pairing the program with Missouri Good Neighbor Week amplifies its impact. It demonstrates that small, personal acts can ripple outward to create a culture of kindness and mutual support across Excelsior Springs and Clay County.

Potential Impact

  • Increased Engagement: The free shake or yogurt incentive provides a fun, tangible reward, making it more likely that residents will participate and report their acts of kindness.

  • Documented Neighboring: By collecting forms, organizers can track community engagement and measure how many seniors were reached. This data can help shape future programs and demonstrate the value of neighbor-focused initiatives.

  • Model for Other Communities: The simplicity of the idea makes it replicable. Communities across Missouri—and beyond—could adopt similar programs to encourage acts of kindness during Good Neighbor Week or year-round.

A Simple but Powerful Step

This initiative demonstrates how small, intentional efforts can build stronger, more connected neighborhoods. By focusing on seniors, the program shines a light on a group often overlooked in community celebrations. And by rewarding participation, it reinforces the idea that being a good neighbor is not only meaningful—it’s also fun.

As Laura Mize, Neighborhood Specialist with the City of Excelsior Springs, noted when sharing the plan: “This is a great idea our partners at Clay County Senior Services had!” It’s a reminder that when cities, nonprofits, and residents come together, they can design creative ways to nurture relationships and celebrate the heart of community life—being a good neighbor.

You can access the participation form that has been created online here.


Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.

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