Media Release: Missouri Good Neighbor Week Returns Sept. 28–Oct. 4, Celebrating a Year of Neighboring Across the State

 

Missouri will once again celebrate the power of everyday neighborliness when Missouri Good Neighbor Week returns Sept. 28 through Oct. 4, inviting residents, neighborhoods, businesses, organizations and communities to recognize the simple acts that make Missouri a better place to live.

The statewide celebration, created by University of Missouri Extension Community Development Specialist David Burton, and officially signed into law by the Missouri Governor in 2022, has grown from an idea into one of the nation’s most visible organized efforts to encourage people to know, love and serve their neighbors. 


The initiative is supported by University of Missouri Extension, National Good Neighbor Day, and ServMo.  The program was also named America’s Neighboring Program of the Year by Neighborhoods, USA in 2023. 


Act. Report. Celebrate.

Missourians are encouraged to report their acts of neighboring throughout the year, not just during the September celebration. An act of neighboring might be mowing a neighbor’s lawn, welcoming someone new to the community, checking on an older resident, sharing a meal, organizing a block gathering, helping a family in need or simply making an effort to build a relationship with someone nearby.

"Reporting matters because the collective stories help demonstrate the scope of neighborliness across Missouri and contribute to recognition of communities that are actively building stronger neighborhoods," said David Burton, creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week.


And don’t wait to make your nominations. For 2026, Missouri Good Neighbor Week will recognize three important categories that require nominations:

  • Most Neighborly Business — recognizing three businesses that goes beyond transactions to build relationships, create belonging and contribute to the social and economic well-being of its community.
  • Most Neighborly Neighborhood — recognizing three neighborhoods (subdivision, apartment community, trailer park, urban neighborhood or small communities) where residents demonstrate care, connection and collaboration.
  • Most Engaged Neighbors — recognizing 20 Missourians who consistently go above and beyond to help others and strengthen the communities where they live.

The winners will be announced during Missouri Good Neighbor Week, so nominations should be submitted now. Every nomination helps tell the story of what neighborliness looks like in Missouri and gives deserving people, businesses and neighborhoods an opportunity to be recognized. 


“Every nomination is a way of saying, ‘I see what you’re doing, and it matters,’” Burton said. “We want to make sure the people, businesses and neighborhoods that are quietly making their communities stronger don’t go unnoticed.”

Residents and organizations can report acts of neighboring, submit nominations, find resources and learn how to participate at missourigoodneighborweek.com.


From Humble Beginnings


The inaugural Missouri Good Neighbor Week in 2022 documented 12,594 acts of neighboring — surpassing its goal of 10,000. In 2025, Missourians reported 42,134 acts of neighboring involving residents in 110 cities and 86 counties. 


Now entering its fifth year, the movement continues to grow with a goal to document 50,000 acts of neighboring this year, while expanding participation to more counties and cities across the state. 


“Neighboring isn’t about doing something extraordinary,” said Burton. “It’s about doing something intentional, like noticing the person next door, checking on someone who may need help, inviting someone to the table, helping with a project or simply taking the time to know the people who live around us. Those small actions add up to stronger communities.”

A Missouri Idea Spreading Beyond Missouri

What began in Missouri as a week built around doing, reporting and celebrating acts of neighboring is becoming a model for communities nationwide seeking to develop their own Good Neighbor Week efforts. 

Over 20 cities and states across the country are exploring ways to adapt the Missouri approach, which combines individual acts of kindness with neighborhood activities, community campaigns, nominations and public recognition. Examples include Omaha, Nebraska; Bryant, Arkansas; Orlando, Florida; San Francisco, California; and more than 20 cities in between.

"Missouri’s experience demonstrates that a Good Neighbor Week can be more than a single week of service. It can become a catalyst for year-round relationship building, with residents, businesses, neighborhoods and local governments all playing a role," said Burton.


Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2026
Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 2026
A Year of Neighboring Activity. A Week to Celebrate it.



Media Contact:
David Burton
Community Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
burtond@missouri.edu
(417) 881-8909 or 417-848-3442


WRITTEN BY

David L. Burton

For more information, visit the Engaged Neighbor website. Take our pledge and become part of a movement! Or subscribe to our newsletter. Access some of the research documents written by David Burton, the author of this blog. Or better yet, purchase one of his books off Amazon. Contact David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.

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