Socktober: Small-Town Generosity Warms Hearts Across Barton County

PHOTO: Liberal School Staff accepted the SOCKTOBER Donations to be used for Liberal Elementary and High School Students as needed. The Liberal FBLA also had a donation drive within the high school   to help students. Elaine Davis stands at the far right.


During Missouri Good Neighbor Week, the small communities of Lamar, Liberal, and Golden City showed just how powerful small acts of kindness can be. Through a partnership between Lamar Community Betterment and Barton County 4-H, residents of all ages came together to collect hundreds of pairs of socks and underwear for local students—turning what began as a simple idea into a heartfelt community movement.

A Perfect Fit for Missouri Good Neighbor Week

The “SOCKTOBER” drive coincided perfectly with both Missouri Good Neighbor Week and National 4-H Week, two statewide efforts that celebrate civic pride, connection, and community involvement. Collection baskets were placed in local businesses across Barton County, and 4-H members contributed items at their monthly meetings.

The result? A tremendous outpouring of generosity.

Volunteers—both youth and adults—delivered 599 pairs of new socks and 341 pairs of new underwear to schools in Lamar, Liberal, and Golden City for distribution to students in need.

“The support from the communities was overwhelming,” said Elaine Davis, 4-H educator. “Good neighbors don’t have to live right next door to you. They’re the people who see a need and respond with kindness.”

Generosity With a Ripple Effect

What made this year’s effort even more inspiring was how far its impact reached. A phone call from the Richardson family in Granbury, Texas—former Lamar residents—added an unexpected layer of connection. After reading about the project in the Lamar Democrat, they decided to join in by sending packages of donations to the University of Missouri Extension office in Barton County.

“I had an enjoyable conversation with Mr. Richardson,” said Davis. “He shared memories of living in the rock house that once stood on the Extension office site. His compliments about Lamar’s spirit of service were a reminder that community roots run deep—even across state lines.”

Youth Learning the Value of Service

The SOCKTOBER initiative wasn’t just about meeting material needs—it was also about teaching the next generation the value of generosity and civic responsibility. Barton County 4-H members learned firsthand how local service can make a lasting difference.

At Lamar High School, students and staff gratefully received baskets to share across East Primary, West Elementary, and the high school itself. In Liberal, school staff and FBLA members worked together to distribute donations throughout their district. And in Golden City, administrators accepted baskets filled with supplies gathered by neighbors and local businesses.

“The smallest act of kindness may not be seen,” said Davis, “but it can always be felt by those who receive.”

Community Partners Stepping Up

Support for the drive came from across the county. Collection sites included Lamar Bank and Trust, Arvest Bank, Community National Bank, Mary K. Finley Library, Vintage Chaos, Citizens Bank, Liberal Library, Barton County Mutual Group, Golden Community National Bank, Golden City Library, and Golden City Hall. Each site became a small beacon of neighborly spirit, contributing to a much larger ripple effect of compassion.

A Model of Neighboring in Action

In small towns like those across Barton County, efforts like SOCKTOBER prove that community strength lies not in numbers, but in the willingness to care. When neighbors—young and old—work side by side to meet local needs, generosity becomes contagious.

This simple project demonstrated that being a good neighbor isn’t about geography; it’s about heart. And this fall, Barton County’s heart was on full display.


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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