Missouri Good Neighbor Week Engages Over 42,000 People in 110 Cities and 86 Counties; Six Cities Named Most Neighborly

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missourians once again demonstrated the power of neighborliness during Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 2025), an annual statewide celebration of everyday kindness and connection coordinated by University of Missouri Extension and supported by The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.

According to the official report, 42,134 acts of neighborliness were documented this week through 433 different neighboring actions, pledges, campaigns, and proclamations — making this Missouri’s largest civic engagement event focused on building stronger communities.

Widespread Participation

Reports were submitted from 110 cities and 86 counties, showing that the movement to “know, love, and serve your neighbors” has taken deep root across both urban and rural Missouri. Participants ranged from large cities like Springfield, Kansas City, and Manchester to smaller communities like Cardwell, Hume and Fremont Hills.

In addition to acts of kindness and block gatherings, more than 100 Missourians took the Engaged Neighbor Pledge, committing to ongoing efforts to get to know their immediate neighbors and care for their local communities year-round.

County Extension Councils and 4-H clubs across the state also participated at a high level this year, accounting for over 19,000 of the reported acts of neighboring. County Extension Council volunteers hosted movie screenings about neighbors, hosted meal events and community socials, funded and packed various items for food pantries and generally made a positive impact in their respective communities during the week.

Top Six Most Neighborly Cities

Using a participation index that weighted city size, acts of neighboring, reported impacts, nominations, award winners, pledges, business recognitions, proclamations, and organized campaigns, the Top Six Most Neighborly Cities in Missouri for 2025 are:

1. Springfield (Greene County) – Volunteer-led (and city-assisted) neighborhood block parties in multiple areas; repeated neighboring PSA airings on KY3-TV; and various individual neighboring actions along with 22 nominations for most engaged neighbor.

2. Manchester (St. Louis County) – This city organized a robust neighbor campaign, reaching residents through parades, events, and outreach efforts like  a “Table Together” community meal. Manchester’s combination of business, resident, and city leadership demonstrates what’s possible when neighboring becomes a shared civic value. 

3. Fremont Hills (Christian County) – Residents campaigned to get a proclamation, nominated helpful neighbors for recognition, and gathered locally with city officials.

4. Excelsior Springs (Clay County) – Multiple individual block parties, a neighboring program during the week and a community block party along with engaged neighbor nominations and year-long support for a neighboring campaign.

5. Houston (Texas County) – “Rose for a Neighbor” campaign had 3,400 touches and was made possible by numerous volunteers and local supportive businesses.

6. Lee’s Summit (Jackson County) – This city stood out for its creative, city-supported approach to neighboring. Lee’s Summit’s collaborative spirit—linking city government, neighborhoods, and individual residents—shows how intentional neighboring can strengthen civic pride and community life across Jackson County.

Springfield once again led the state in total acts of neighboring, most engaged neighbor nominations, pledge participation, and city-wide campaigns, while smaller cities like Houston and Fremont Hills stood out for deep engagement and creativity relative to their size.

The top six cities will be officially recognized this fall with a commemorative plaque and logo they can use designating them as Missouri’s Most Neighborly City for the next year.

Honorable mention goes to the following cities: Aurora, Hume, Kansas City, Republic and Nixa.

Most Neighborly Businesses in Missouri

For the first time, Missouri Good Neighbor Week also accepted nominations to recognize the most neighborly businesses in the state. A “neighborly” business goes beyond providing goods or services — it builds trust, uplifts others, and contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of its surroundings by promoting Missouri Good Neighbor Week or creating a “third space.”

The four Most Neighborly Missouri Businesses of 2025 demonstrated how commerce and community can thrive together when kindness is part of the business plan. 

TLC Properties in Springfield engaged residents across all 16 of its apartment communities through events, prizes, and celebrations that honored good neighbors as nominated by other residents. TLC promoted good neighbors all month actually.. 

KY3-TV in Springfield created and ran four different PSAs in support of Missouri Good Neighbor Week from August to October. Three of these were under their “KY3 for Kids” program encouraging families to do an act of kindness for a neighbor. The fourth was a PSA for the “Mayor’s Neighboring Challenge” encouraging residents to host block parties and getting material support from HyVee for five of those block parities.

Mideast Market in Manchester, led by owner Rasheed Kazmi, serves as more than a grocery store —it’s a gathering point where people meet, talk, and celebrate community life – acting as a bridge builder across Manchester’s diverse population.

And Other Trails in Excelsior Springs,  whose owners turned a local coffee and book shop into a true “third space,” where neighbors meet for friendship, games, gatherings and support. 

“Each of these businesses prove that investing in relationships is not only good for people—it’s good for Missouri business,” said David Burton, MU Extension community development specialist and founder of Missouri Good Neighbor Week.

Most Engaged Neighbors in Missouri

The 2025 class of Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbors were announced on Oct. 2 during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. The efforts of these 20 honorees (out of 138 nominees) ranged from organizing block parties and mentoring neighborhood kids, to checking on elderly residents, tending community gardens, leading cleanup projects, and fostering unity across cultural and generational lines. 

“Though their methods differ, each honoree shares a commitment to connection, hospitality, and service that transforms neighbors into friends and streets into communities,” said Burton.

A complete list of honorees for this year can be found online at extension.missouri.edu or we-are-neighbors.blogspot.com.

Lessons Learned

Organizers noted that the week continues to grow not just in participation but in intentionality.

More cities are integrating the event into existing community plans, while individuals are moving from one-time service to ongoing relationship-building. 

“It’s no longer just a week of service—it’s becoming a lifestyle of neighboring,” said Burton. “When people get to know their neighbors, communities become safer, more caring, and more resilient. That’s what we’re seeing in every corner of Missouri.”

Goals for 2026 are to add five statewide sponsors, document 50,000 acts of neighboring, have 90% of Missouri counties organize an official project, have 50 cities issue proclamations, secure statewide marketing partners, expand partnerships with schools, apartments and businesses, and launch a “Friends of Missouri Good Neighbor Week” donor network.

About Missouri Good Neighbor Week

Created by David Burton and officially recognized by the Missouri Legislature in 2022, Missouri Good Neighbor Week celebrates acts of kindness and connection that strengthen local neighborhoods. University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project are key supporters of the week and have been instrumental in its development.

Missouri Good Neighbor Week was named America’s Neighboring Program of the Year in 2023 by Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA). 

Learn more or report acts of neighboring at missourigoodneighborweek.com.

###

Contact

David Burton, Community Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Email: burtond@missouri.edu | Phone: (417) 881-8909 or

Jennifer Prophete, director, Hopeful Neighborhood Project

Email: Jennifer.Prophete@lhm.org | Phone: (314) 614-5210