There is often skepticism around holidays that seem overly commercialized or artificially created. Days like National Donut Day or National Dog Day are  dismissed as “made-up holidays.” Yet these observances clearly have value, not only for businesses, but also for communities, relationships, and culture itself. One reason these themed days matter is because they influence behavior.  Businesses understand this well. A "holiday" creates a reason for people to pay attention, make purchases, participate in promotions, and join a shared social moment.  National Donut Day, for example, reliably increases donut sales and store traffic because companies build campaigns around it. Coffee shops, restaurants, pet stores, and retailers all use these “micro holidays” to create energy and attention that would not normally exist on an ordinary day. The interesting thing is that people often respond more strongly to occasions than to logic. A random Tuesday suddenly becomes “the ...

From small towns to big cities, thousands of Americans turned ordinary kindness into a nationwide wave of community connection during National Good Neighbor Day 2025. A total of 61,279 people were directly impacted by events and acts of kindness reported from across the United States, according to data compiled from 122 local celebrations. The reports came from libraries, city governments, neighborhood associations, faith groups, and individual neighbors who turned the last weekend of September into a living demonstration of goodwill. The growth this year happened thanks to 20 national partners. As one participant reported: “We hosted a front-yard table for anyone who wanted to stop by,” one participant shared. “It started with just a few neighbors, but by the end of the evening, nearly the whole block had gathered.” Nationwide Participation, Local Impact This year’s reports came from at least 15 states, including Missouri, Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, Oregon, Washington, Tex...

Since President Jimmy Carter officially proclaimed National Good Neighbor Day in 1979, the holiday has served as a reminder of the importance of community, kindness, and connection. Initially established to encourage Americans to appreciate and recognize the good neighbors in their lives, the celebration has evolved in unique and creative ways across the United States.  Now, there is a coalition of leaders in the neighboring movement, led by Jennifer Prophete, that are working to take National Good Neighbor Day to the next level. As part of that growth, let's consider some of what has been done in the past. Over the decades, communities have embraced this day with heartfelt, imaginative, and often surprising gestures that highlight the spirit of neighborliness. One of the most enduring and widespread traditions has been the organization of neighborhood block parties. Cities like Minneapolis, Minnesota, have led the way in transforming National Good Neighbor Day into a large-sca...

  At TLC Properties, community is more than just a word—it’s a way of life. This September, TLC is joining Missourians across the state in celebrating Missouri Good Neighbor Week (September 28–October 4), but they’re taking it a step further by making the celebration last all month long. With creative activities, inspiring recognitions, and simple acts of kindness, TLC Properties is showing residents that neighbors truly are the heart of a thriving community. “ We’re huge proponents of the Good Neighbor Week initiative—so much so that we’ve decided to celebrate with our residents all month long, ” said Grace Tamburro, Creative Brand Manager for TLC Properties. “ We’re really looking forward to seeing the fruits of this initiative in our community and are excited to share more about how our residents engaged as the month comes to a close. ” Building Connection Through Pledges and Recognition One of TLC’s most visible initiatives this year is the Good Neighbor Pledge . With a goal o...

  From coast to coast and across the heartland, cities are celebrating National Good Neighbor Day (September 28) with a variety of creative, meaningful events. Whether through neighborhood block parties, tech-forward engagement, or simple acts of kindness, communities are coming together to strengthen the fabric of local life. Here’s how cities big and small are making National Good Neighbor Day a powerful force for connection: 1. San Francisco, California: The Inaugural Good Neighbor Week In San Francisco, the nonprofit Community News Lab is launching the city’s first-ever Good Neighbor Week, running September 28 to October 4. Highlights include: A city-wide proclamation Good Neighbor Awards Local block events A hackathon to develop tools for community-building Digital community bulletin boards in public spaces With its blend of creativity and tech-savvy planning, San Francisco’s Good Neighbor Week is poised to be a national model for innovative community engagement. 2. Boston, Ma...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Residents of Missouri are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to help establish connections with their neighbors during the fourth annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week from Sept. 28 to Oct 4. The official website for the week can be found at http://missourigoodneighborweek.com . The celebration is created, organized and supported by two organizations: University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. Missouri Good Neighbor Week was established by legislative action in 2022 and signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Parsons on July 1. This weeklong effort was recognized nationally in May of 2023 at the annual Neighborhoods USA conference as the “Neighborhood Program of the Year for the United States.” In 2024, over 31,000 acts of neighboring were reported across Missouri, 20 individuals were recognized as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” and five cities earned the title of Missouri’s Most Neighborly City: Houst...