In the heart of Manchester, Missouri, David Bennett is redefining what it means to be a neighbor. Whether he’s sitting on his front porch greeting passersby, strumming his guitar for a community concert, or helping organize a repair project for a struggling homeowner, David’s life is a symphony of generosity, connection, and care. In 2025, he was named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors , an honor celebrating Missourians who strengthen the social fabric of their communities. The award is part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project , and highlights those who make their corner of the world a little kinder and more connected. Living Out Love for His Neighbors When asked what inspired him to begin connecting with his neighbors, David’s answer is simple but profound: “I have always believed that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Acts of generosity create a healthy, safe, and hospitab...

Feed the Need Volunteers: Manchester residents packaged meals during the “Feed the Need” event, showing that service projects strengthen community bonds while helping those in need. The City of Manchester has steadily cultivated a “neighboring culture” in recent years, and now that spirit is visible across a range of programs leading into Missouri Good Neighbor Week.  What began in 2021 when Alderwoman Megan Huether first explored the idea of neighboring has grown into a movement that is shaping civic life. “As a newly elected city council member, I was looking for ways to connect people and strengthen neighborhoods,” Huether recalled. “When I discovered the concept of neighboring, it clicked immediately—this was the path to building belonging in Manchester.” That spark has grown into something much larger.  “Over the past 18 months, we’ve launched and expanded several initiatives and events, many of which tie directly to Good Neighbor Week’s mission,” said Lisa Wigger, Commun...

Missouri Good Neighbor Week (online at http://missourigoodneighborweek.com) encourages neighboring acts between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4 and recognizes people nominated by others as the "most engaged neighbors" in Missouri. Greg and Suzanne Smith of Manchester, Missouri, were nominated in 2023 and were recognized as one of the Top 10 nominations for the year. All nominees receive a gift and a letter letting them know they have been nominated. However, the top 10 nominations receive an award certificate, a prize check, and media recognition. Greg has been a longtime trustee for his Neighborhood Homeowners Association. More importantly, he and his wife, Suzanne, put up 100,000 Christmas lights for the neighborhood every year during the holiday season.  Their nominator mentioned the lights and their service, but more importantly, the attitude in which it is done. "The Smiths have really big hearts, and they often do acts for people in the neighborhood with total anonymity. As a ...

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail. “Honestly the plan was to honor ten, but we couldn’t get to that number,” said Jennifer Prophete, coordinator of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “I thought the nominations this year were great from one to sixty-two.” “We were excited to see two Missouri towns, Seymour and Webster Groves, collect their own nominations and honor engaged neighbors during the week,” said David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “It would be great to see other cities do something similar next year. We must celebrate and recognize neighborly behavior.” These statewide awards are provi...