Missouri Good Neighbor Week, which begins on National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) and goes seven days in Missouri (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 in 2022), was established to foster compassion and respect for our neighbors as well as lasting relationships.
     Missouri residents are invited to participate in the 10,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge. Acts of neighboring are often simple gestures that help us be a good neighbor, lift up others, or make our community a place we love. The goal is for Missouri residents to document 10,000 acts of kindness toward neighbors. Those reporting their Acts of Neighboring via the survey link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MoGoodNeighborWeek(opens in new window) are elibible for prizes. 
     Second, you can also nominate someone in your county for the "Neighbor of the Year" award. Preference will be shown to nominees who are engaged neighbors or neighborhood connectors –- meaning they connect others through events, service or social interaction. Recognition of the nominated "Neighbor of the Year" in each county will be presented in Missouri cities and counties that have a partnering individual or organization. 
     Finally, residentes may nominate individuals for the Most Engaged Neighbor Award
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngagedNeighborNomination(opens in new window)
     Special Statewide Neighbor Awards will also be presented in recognition of the Missouri Neighboring Project of the Year, Diversity Award, Best of Rural Missouri Award, and the Judges Choice Award.

     Grain Valley residents, residents of unincorporated Jackson County, and other communities in the regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program may dispose of unwanted hazardous waste during a collection event on Saturday, September 24th from 8:00am - Noon. The collection event will be held at Jackson County Public Works, 34900 E Old US Highway 40.
     Accepted materials include batteries, paint, lawn and garden chemicals, automotive fluids, fluorescent lighting bulbs. Household waste only will be accepted - no waste from businesses, nonprofits, home-based businesses, and rental properties will be accepted. 

     Girl Scout Troop 1857 members Sophia Henderson, Morgan Peters, and Addy Doerman have completed their Bronze Award project, building a Little Free Pantry on the grounds of Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley.
     Similar to Little Free Libraries, the Little Free Pantry provides an opportunity for anyone to stop by and take what they need or leave food or toiletry items for others. The pantry is stocked with a variety of canned and packaged food and snacks, and toiletry items.
     "We tried to make sure all of the canned goods are pop-tops, and there are lots of snack items for people who may not have can openers," Henderson said.
     The girls began the project in May, seeking advice from community leaders such as Mayor Mike Todd, and the volunteers at the Grain Valley Assistance Council. They spent months finalizing their design and working with their parents and grandparents to build and place the pantry at the site provided by Faith United Methodist Church. Doerman's grandmother and others helped provide the initial supply of food and toiletries for the pantry. 
     The girls raised money to pay for building supplies, and will take turns ensuring the pantry is stocked. They've also thought about how the project will be sustained after they have concluded their time with the project, perhaps passing it down to a younger troop who is working on their own Bronze Award.
      "When we get out of 8th grade, we could pass it on to a Brownie troop or a Daisy troop, and they can pick it up while they are working on their own Bronze award," Doerman explained. 
     Parent volunteer Felicia Bergan said Faith United Methodist Church has been a great partner in the process. When the group was looking for an ideal site for their pantry, Faith UMC was suggested as an ideal site given their location and community-based plans they have at their site.
     "So, I contacted Pastor Mike, and in 48 hours, he's like 'The whole church approved your plan, you're good.' They're looking at doing a lot of cool community stuff on their land, and this project fit well with their plans. He's (Pastor Mike Cassidy) just been phenomenal. He came out while we were building last weekend, checked on us, and praised the girls. The whole church has been awesome and has been a great partner with us."
     Donations of unused, unexpired food items and toiletries are welcome and may be left inside the pantry box, and anyone is welcome to take what they need. 
     The girls are already discussing ideas for their Silver Award projects, and may expand the pantry box concept to meet other community needs.
      "Girl Scouts are way more than just cookies," Peters said.
     

     After months of planning, the Grain Valley Fair and Community Parade will be held this wekeend, Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th behind the Grain Valley Community Center. The fun begins at 4:00pm on Friday, as the carnival midway and vendor booths open. The Beer Garden opens at 5:00pm, with bands beginning at 5:30pm through 11:00pm.
     The Grain Valley Community Parade will begin at 2:00pm on Saturday. The parade begins at Grain Valley High School, heads east to Main, travels down Main to Walnut, follows Walnut to Kirby and heads back to the high school. Judging will take place along Main Street, with winners announced Saturday evening. 
     A full schedule of events is provided below. Additional details can be found at www.grainvalleyfair.org or the Grain Valley Fair page on Facebook. 

     The last chance for a dip in the pool comes this Labor Day weekend. The last swim of the year at the Grain Valley Community Center is Monday, September 5th from Noon - 4:00pm. The pool then goes to the dogs on Tuesday, September 6th when the pool hosts its annual Dog Paddle Day. Pups and their owners may pay $5 per pup at the gate from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. One dog per person, and all dogs must be current on vaccinations and current city license tags worn and displayed at all times. 

     The Grain Valley Police Department will host Cakes, Cops, & Conversations on Saturday, August 27th from 8:00am - 11:00am at Armstrong Park.
     Chris Cakes will be serving up their famous all-you-can eat pancakes so residents can eat breakfast & get to know the officers who serve their community.
     No RSVP is required, and this event is free to the public.  Donations accepted to benefit GVPD's outreach programs.

     Valley Community Church volunteers loaded up trailers and headed out on August 16th for the sixth year of a project to provide school supplies for every kindergarten student in Grain Valley. The church purchased supplies for 340 students this year.
     "It's always a lot of fun for us and we are honored to do it. We look forward to another awesome school year," Valley Community Church Pastor Jason Williams said.

​     The Purple Peace Foundation's "Cruise for Consciousness" Car Show returns to Grain Valley this Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at Armstrong Park. The annual event raises funds for the educational and support programs the Purple Peace Foundation provides for families impacted by epilepsy.
     Started in 2015, the "Cruise for Consciousness" Car Show has grown to host approximately 300 cars, a silent auction, raffles, and plenty of concession options. As organizer Stacey Perry explained, "It is a day of cool cars, great food, and lots of fun all in the name of spreading awareness about epilepsy."
     Perry's inspiration for starting the event were the memories of spending many hours at car shows as a kid with her dad.
     "It is our biggest fundraising event of the year. And all that aside, through the years, I have gotten to spend countless hours with my dad, passing out flyers, running errands, eating $1.50 hot dog lunches at Costco.. These years of working on the Cruise for Consciousness together have been some of my best memories I will ever have with my dad. He is the key to this whole show."
     For more information on the Purple Peace Foundation, visit www.purplepeacefoundation.org. 

     The Grain Valley Historical Society will host its annual Ice Cream Social from 5-8pm on Thursday, July 28th on the patio between the Society and Iron Kettle Brewing, 506 S. Main.
     A variety of homemade ice creams and desserts will be featured at the fundraising event for the Society. Tickets are ​$6/adults, $5/children 12 and under and may be purchased at the door. 
     For more information on the Grain Valley Historical Society, visit www.grainvalleyhistory.com.