Why Bother Connecting with Your Neighbors During Missouri Good Neighbor Week?

 

Why should you get involved with Missouri Good Neighbor Week? It is a frequent question when I speak to various groups statewide. What people typically mean when they ask that question is: "what is in it for me?" Well here is what I have gotten out of participating in Missouri Good Neighbor Week.

1. Reconnect in a Time of Disconnection

According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, only 26% of Americans know most or all of their neighbors, and just 44% trust them—both of which are declines from years past. This social distance isn’t just a statistic—it affects our lives and communities every day. Missouri Good Neighbor Week offers a clear, guided moment to help rebuild those connections.

2. Builds Trust, Safety, and Community Resilience

Trust isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s the backbone of neighborhoods. When neighbors know and trust each other, they’re more likely to look out for one another, preventing crime and fostering a sense of safety. Neighbors who trust one another can resolve conflicts more easily, share resources, and collaborate on improving their surroundings.

3. It’s Official—and Your Actions Have Real Impact

Missouri Good Neighbor Week was signed into law in 2022 to celebrate connections between neighbors and encourage meaningful acts of kindness  . Since then, the momentum has grown:

  • In 2023, nearly 19,800 acts of neighboring were reported—surpassing goals  .
  • In 2024, efforts exploded: over 31,100 acts of neighboring were documented, and several cities were honored as Missouri’s Most Neighborly  .
  • Communities in Columbia, Springfield, Excelsior Springs, Ferguson, and more hosted events—from block parties to open houses—that brought people together  .

Your small gesture might mean that your city climbs in rankings, or even gets celebrated statewide.

4. Feel-Good Recognition and Personal Connection

Participating isn’t just good for your community—it’s personally rewarding, too! Individuals get nominated and recognized as the “Most Engaged Neighbors,” receiving tokens of appreciation and public acknowledgment. Plus, there’s the shared joy of community events and block parties that genuinely bring people together.

5. Simple Ways to Participate

Not sure how to dive in? Here are approachable, heartfelt ideas:

  • Introduce yourself—even a simple “Hi, I’m [Name]” can open the door.
  • Host or join a block party—as seen in Columbia, Springfield, and beyond.
  • Do a small kindness—like helping with yard work, sharing baked goods, or leaving a postcard.
  • Use “101 Acts of Neighboring”—a resource created by the University of Missouri Extension with practical suggestions.
  • Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge—commit to 20 guiding principles that help make neighborliness a way of life.
Report your actions taken on the Missouri Good Neighbor Week website and be included in a random drawing for over $1,000 in gifts cards.

6. You’re Part of Something Bigger

Through Missouri Good Neighbor Week, you’re joining a growing movement. Cities are recognizing the value of neighborliness—not just with awards, but through state-level support and media coverage. What starts as a gently waved hello can transform into a neighborhood—and a state—that thrives on genuine connection.

Final Thought

Simply put: Missouri Good Neighbor Week gives you a reason—and a roadmap—to turn everyday moments into meaningful connections. Whether it’s saying hi, offering help, or hosting a gathering, your efforts ripple out. You strengthen your neighborhood and help build a kinder, more connected Missouri.

So yes—it’s absolutely worth the bother. Now’s the perfect time to take that first step.

Let me know if you’d like help planning a block party, crafting an invitation, or picking the perfect simple act of kindness for your neighborhood!


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.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Acts of Neighboring During Missouri Good Neighbor Week Announced and Recognized

Image
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Second Annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4) was a documented success. Organizers had a goal to document 15,000 acts of neighboring. But instead, Missourians reported 19,752 acts of neighboring during the week. The sponsors of Missouri Good Neighbor Week -- University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project – recognize the most engaged neighbors and the best acts of neighboring during the week to encourage acts of neighboring all year. According to David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week, 10 different reported acts of neighboring were selected as the best examples in Missouri this year. “Whether you are an award winner or not, we want to encourage Missourians to keep learning the names of their immediate neighbors, finding ways to use their names, and planning fun neighborhood events to develop positive relationships and incre...
Read more

Five Cities Named Most Neighborly in Missouri for 2024

Image
  Photo above: From a block party in Ferguson, Missouri. New to Missouri Good Neighbor Week this year was recognition for the most neighborly cities in the state.  This honor was based on points earned by participating in the week, city campaigns and proclamations, residents making nominations for most engaged neighbor and reporting acts of neighboring, and statewide or local prizes won.  "The goal was to further engage cities with Missouri Good Neighbor Week and we had over 12 pass proclamations and at least 12 that had organized city-wide efforts for Missouri Good Neighbor Week," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "We ended the week with over 31,000 documented acts of neighboring and five cities worthy of the title 'most neighborly city' in Missouri." In 2024, five cities were named the most neighborly cities in Missouri: Houston, Excelsior Springs, Sikeston,...
Read more

Results of 2024 Missouri Good Neighbor Week Exceed 30,000 Acts of Neighboring!

Image
  Several hands have been busy tabulating the final results from the 4th Annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week. While those volunteers and partners are invaluable, people like you are also worthy of thanks.  Individual Missourians who reported their acts of neighboring nominated someone for an award, or organized a block party! Or you were on one of 60 committees with University of Missouri Extension to organize county-level efforts that account for over 14,000 acts of neighboring this year!  No matter your role or level of involvement, thank you. On another positive note, the efforts in Missouri have not gone unnoticed. In the last month, I have received inquiries about the creation of other statewide neighbor weeks from Massachusetts, Michigan, Connecticut, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Washington, and Colorado. How exciting! Based on this year's results, the future seems bright. ENGAGED NEIGHBORS. We have already announced the 22 individuals being recognized as Missouri...
Read more