Rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of service on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, as more than 200 dedicated volunteers from across the Goddard community rolled up their sleeves for the annual Neighbors United event — a day fully devoted to meaningful, hands-on service. From cleaning and organizing school district transportation vehicles to constructing garden beds and repairing a wheelchair ramp, USD 265 students and Goddard community members came together to leave a lasting impact on the people and places that make Goddard home.
Neighbors United began in 2016, when a group of student leaders from Goddard High School (GHS) and Eisenhower High School (EHS) wanted to join forces to serve their community. That’s when USD 265 Community Relations Director, Dane Baxa, stepped in to help facilitate an event where students, educators, and community leaders could unite around service and build stronger neighborhoods together.
Nearly a decade later, that vision has grown into one of the community’s most cherished annual traditions — an event that continues to expand in participation and impact each year. Dane reflected saying, “Neighbors United has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the community we serve. Having more students engaged, specifically in planning and leading the event this year, has been inspiring.”
This year’s Neighbors United featured 25 diverse projects, each registered for its potential to improve lives and bring people together. One particularly powerful example was the repair of a wheelchair ramp for a local senior — a project that perfectly illustrates the heart of Neighbors United. The initiative was spearheaded by Site Leader Corey Dir, who not only submitted the project, but also planned it, recruited volunteers, and led the team to completion. This repair will benefit more than just one person. Corey shared, “While the ramp repair project had the greatest impact on the handicapped homeowner, it also ensures anyone visiting or delivering to this family’s home will also be able to safely come and go.”
Despite the spotty weather, volunteers of all ages remained focused on completing every project. Mycah Biering, EHS Senior and Neighbors United 2025 Co-Chair, shared, “What stood out to me this year was the resilience and heart our volunteers demonstrated. Even in the rain, they showed up, worked hard, and supported one another to the finish line. Neighbors United isn’t just about checking off service projects — it’s about building a culture of compassion and pride in our community. I’m incredibly proud of what I witnessed during this event.”
District staff and educators also took part, modeling leadership and reinforcing a commitment to service learning. One standout example was EHS P.E. Teacher and Head Football Coach Darrin Fisher, who led students through four separate projects, including a complete cleaning and organization of all the district’s transportation vehicles. Darrin shared, “Neighbors United brings our volunteers closer as they have to work together and work with students from other schools. I felt this was a great opportunity to not only serve our kids, but our community.”
At the bus barn, Site Leader Haley Beiter and her team were ready to help wherever they were needed. After completing their initial tasks, they quickly shifted to support work at the Goddard Community Garden — a space in need of preparation for the growing season. Haley said, “In the community garden, our volunteers joined others to build multiple above-ground planting beds. We weeded several other beds in preparation for planting, tilled the landscaping around the garden, moved a lot of dirt, and truckloads of sticks — all in preparation for growth and harvest to benefit the community!” She went on to say, “We had an initial goal of cleaning a few of the buses at the bus barn, but as more volunteers came to help, we were able to clean EVERY bus and vehicle in the lot. The volunteers then took the extra step to hand write thank you notes for all the drivers who would find their clean vehicle the following Monday.” Her team's flexibility and commitment captured the very essence of the event: stepping in where needed and giving their all for the greater good.
Another standout project was led by Catherine LaFever, EHS Science Teacher and Neighbors United Site Leader, who organized a roadside clean-up through a partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). Catherine led a group of 12 student volunteers, and two adult supervisors, as they tackled a two-mile stretch of Kellogg, collecting litter and restoring the area’s natural beauty. Catherine shared, “Neighbors United offers a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together for a common cause. It creates opportunities for students to engage directly in civic service and also gives parents a chance to participate alongside their children. It’s not just about cleaning up or completing a task—it’s about building a stronger, more connected community through shared effort and pride.” Her words speak to the heart of Neighbors United — a day not only of action, but of unity, pride, and purpose.
Neighbors United 2025 was more than a day of service — it was a powerful demonstration of what happens when a community collectively invests in one another. Whether building accessibility ramps, cleaning roadways, planting gardens, or simply showing up with a willing heart, each volunteer played a vital role in something much greater than themselves. “The more connections we can help students make between their learning and the value of serving others,” Dane Baxa shared, “the more confidence they gain to make a lasting impact — not just on this one day, but throughout their lives. Seeing Goddard Public Schools students apply what they’re learning to serve their community gives us all hope for a brighter future.”
Through every project and every shared effort, rain-soaked or not, USD 265 students learned what it means to lead with compassion. Staff modeled dedication. Families and community partners stood side-by-side. As the skies cleared and the work wrapped up, one truth was clear: the Goddard community doesn’t just talk about making a difference — we show up and do it.