SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28. In Greene County we are going to celebrate all week (Sept. 26 to Oct. 2) with a 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge. 

“If you perform an act of neighboring and report it online through our website or Facebook page you will be eligible for prizes in a random drawing as well as cash prizes for the best examples of neighboring,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Information about the challenge can be found online at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/national-good-neighbor-day

“When you hear the phase ‘acts of neighboring,’ do not hit the panic button,” said Burton. “Performing an act of neighboring is easier than many people imagine.”

Acts of neighboring are often simple gestures that you help you be a good neighbor, lift up others and make your neighborhood or community a better place to live.

According to Burton, neighboring means learning the names of the people that live closest to you, using their names, and throwing fun social events.

Here are just a few neighboring ideas but you can find others by searching for acts of neighboring online at extension.missouri.edu. 

How about these neighboring ideas?
•    Go for a walk and bring a small trash bag to pick up trash along the sidewalk.
•    Use sidewalk chalk to write an inspiring message on the sidewalk in front of your home.
•    If you play a musical instrument, do a front porch concert in the evening.
•    Make a double batch of the cookies you’re baking and bring some to a neighbor.
•    Give a neighbor a book you think they would like.
•    “Pop” in on your neighbors and drop off an encouraging note and popcorn.
•    Write a letter of encouragement to a neighbor you know is having a hard time.
•    Host neighborhood chats in lawn chairs on the driveway.
•    Host a morning “donuts on the driveway” event.

Neighboring is the art and skill of building relationships with the people who live in closest proximity to you. Neighboring begins by learning and using names, it grows through associations, and it bears fruit with engaged neighbors who impact their neighborhood.

To learn more about our "Engaged Neighbor" program, or for more on the impact of neighboring, go online to https://extension.missouri.edu or contact David Burton by email at burtond@missouri.edu or telephone at (417) 881-8909.