In photo (left to right): David Burton, Ashley Marks, Commissioner Brad Jackson.  The following is the text of the presentation to Christian County Commissioners at the County Courthouse in Ozark on Thursday, April 2, 2026. What if the most powerful way to change a community wasn’t a new program, a new building, or a new policy but simply knowing the people who live nearest you? That’s the idea behind Missouri Good Neighbor Week—a statewide movement that takes place each year from September 28 through October 4, anchored by National Good Neighbor Day. But this year, there’s a new theme that changes everything: “A Year of Neighboring. A Week to Celebrate It.” Because this isn’t just about one week. It’s about building a culture. And it’s working. We are accepting reports of neighboring and nominations right now and will use Good Neighbor Week to celebrate success stories and announce the various winners. In 2025 alone, Missourians reported more than 42,000 acts of neighboring...

  In 2024, Tracie Rice of Blue Summit was recognized as one of Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbors for her determination to improve the community where she lives. Now, her work is producing visible results. ( See this Neighboring 101 interview with Tracie and some other Engaged Neighbors.) Recently, Rice shared exciting news from her neighborhood: Blue Summit has become the first unincorporated area in Jackson County to receive streetlights. The installation of three dozen new lights was significant enough to make the front page of The Examiner newspaper. For Rice, the moment represents progress for a community that has long lacked basic infrastructure. “It’s a simple thing — three dozen street lights where there had been none,” she explained in the interview. “But for us, it’s a win.” Stepping Up When No One Else Would Rice lives in Blue Summit, an unincorporated area located between Kansas City and Independence, Missouri . Like many unincorporated communities, residents depend...

  In the small town of Hume, Missouri, neighbors know they can count on Jeff Fillpot . Whether he’s stocking shelves at the local food pantry, tending the school greenhouse, supporting families through church outreach, or simply taking time to listen, Jeff shows up—quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly. His commitment to serving others has made him one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , a recognition presented during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. Jeff’s desire to connect with his community began with inspiration from others. “I have been inspired by the helping hands of others constantly supporting one another,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of it and meld with the community.”  He soon became a leader at the town’s volunteer-run food pantry, an essential service that now gives a helping hand to more than 230 families each month , including many during the holidays. Jeff travels weekly to help the stock the pantry and pickup supplies. The pantry’s impact...

  In a small Missouri town where neighbors still wave from porches and look out for one another, Xintong Li has become a steady source of kindness, reliability, and quiet leadership. Though naturally introverted, he has embraced a style of neighboring built on simple gestures, practical help, and a genuine desire to make life a little easier for the people around him. For these efforts, Xintong has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of the statewide celebration of kindness and connection known as Missouri Good Neighbor Week . Simple Beginnings, Lasting Impact For Xintong, neighboring began naturally. “I live near several elderly neighbors, and they are all very kind people,” he said. “In a small town it just feels normal to want to look out for one another and help where you can.”  Over the past four years, those small acts of care have grown into strong relationships. “Being more engaged has helped turn this place from ‘where I live’ in...

  In downtown Excelsior Springs, Missouri, it’s hard to walk a block without finding a burst of sidewalk color, a cheerful greeting written in chalk, or a neighbor smiling because of one man’s creativity. That man is Robbie Farabee —an artist, performer, encourager, and beloved downtown presence whose simple acts of expression have woven joy, connection, and community spirit throughout the city. For his remarkable contributions to community life, Robbie has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , a statewide initiative led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . His nomination reads like a love letter from an entire town—one that credits him with helping shape the identity, vibrancy, and heart of the downtown neighborhood. Neighboring Begins With a Walk and a Box of Chalk Robbie’s story of neighboring began years ago when he moved downtown in 2019. “It started with knowing my n...

In a quiet Columbia cul-de-sac where children ride bikes, neighbors wave from porches, and friendships are built on small acts of kindness, Paul and Cathy Wegner have become the steady heartbeat of their community. Warm, attentive, and always willing to help, the Wegners have turned their street into the kind of neighborhood people dream about — one where you feel seen, supported, and safe. For their everyday acts of connection and care, Paul and Cathy have been named two of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , a statewide initiative led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . The award recognizes Missourians whose simple but powerful actions strengthen the social fabric of the places they call home. A Natural Fit From the Start For Paul and Cathy, neighboring wasn’t a strategy — it was instinctive. “One of the reasons we chose this house was that the neighborhood seemed friendly,” they said. “Chil...

  For Reginald Gatlin of Raytown, Missouri, being a good neighbor isn’t just a hobby — it’s a lifelong calling rooted in lessons learned on a gravel road decades ago. Growing up in a small rural town, he understood early what it meant to rely on others and to be reliable in return. Those simple, powerful lessons have shaped a life devoted to helping others, one yard, one errand, and one conversation at a time. For his unwavering dedication and quiet compassion, Reginald has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . The honor celebrates Missourians whose daily acts of care and connection strengthen community bonds across the state. Learning What It Means to Be a Neighbor “I was first inspired as a child, growing up in a small rural country town,” Reginald said. “I had to walk two and a half miles on a gravel road to get to the bus stop. If...

  When Ashley Meredith Marks moved into a brand-new subdivision in Ozark, Missouri, she realized something was missing. The streets were fresh, the lawns were perfect, and the homes gleamed with new paint — but it didn’t yet feel like a neighborhood. Instead of waiting for connection to happen, Ashley decided to create it herself. That simple decision has transformed her corner of Christian County into one of the warmest, most connected neighborhoods around. For her intentional acts of kindness and community-building, Ashley was named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week — a statewide initiative led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project to celebrate everyday Missourians who strengthen the places they live. Creating Connection From Scratch “After moving to a new place about a year ago, I was feeling more anonymous and isolated than I wanted to. So I decided I didn’t need to wait for anyon...

  In the heart of St. Louis, one man’s determination to see potential instead of problems is transforming an entire neighborhood. Michael J. von Gebel , President of the Vandeventer Community Development Corporation (CDC) , has spent the past several years leading by example — mowing vacant lots after a devastating tornado, organizing residents, and helping secure millions in reinvestment for his community. For his leadership, vision, and deep sense of neighborliness, Michael has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , a statewide celebration led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . The honor recognizes Missourians whose everyday acts of care and civic action create belonging and pride where they live. Seeing Promise Where Others Saw Problems Michael’s passion for community renewal began when he and his wife purchased a home on Page Boulevard in 2021. “I was raised to take care...

In Lees Summit, Missouri, neighbors in one over-55 community have come to rely on a man whose hands are rarely idle and whose heart is always open. His name is Harold “Stoney” Jackson , and through simple acts of service — planting trees, cleaning fountains, and helping tend to yards and gardens — he has turned his retirement years into a season of purpose and connection. Harold was recently named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , an honor that celebrates Missourians whose everyday actions strengthen community bonds and inspire belonging. The award is part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project , recognizing those who make their neighborhoods thrive through care and kindness. Planting Roots After Retirement For Harold, community involvement blossomed naturally after retirement. “We live in an over-55 community with 176 homes,” he explained. “After retiring, I had the time to become active in...