Recap: Be My Neighbor Day 2026
More than 2,500 neighbors joined us for Be My Neighbor Day, filling Iowa PBS with smiles, creativity and plenty of Daniel Tiger fun. Inspired by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and made possible by a grant from Fred Rogers Productions, this free community event brought families together to celebrate kindness, build connections and enjoy an afternoon in the neighborhood.
From meeting Daniel Tiger and Miss Elaina to riding the neighborhood trolley, creating kindness rocks and exploring hands-on activities, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Most importantly, families had plenty of opportunities to practice what it means to be a caring neighbor.
Kindness in Action
Kindness was at the heart of the day, and our neighbors showed up in a big way. Event attendees donated more than 390 pounds of food to support the Food Bank of Iowa, helping provide meals to Iowans in need.
Families also took time to create kindness rocks and write neighborly notes, turning a fun afternoon at Iowa PBS into acts of kindness that can continue throughout our communities.
Thank you to everyone who brought a food donation, made a kindness rock, wrote a note for WesleyLife Meals on Wheels participants, or simply took a moment to share a smile with someone else. Every small act of kindness can make a difference.
Making New Friends
Daniel Tiger and Miss Elaina were ready to welcome families throughout the afternoon, bringing plenty of excitement to the Iowa PBS studios. For families looking for a different way to enjoy the experience, character cutouts and a play trolley offered additional photo opportunities.
It was wonderful to see so many excited faces and families making memories together.
All Aboard the Neighborhood Trolley
Thanks to Charters on Vine, families could climb aboard for a ride around the neighborhood. The trolley was a favorite throughout the afternoon, giving families a chance to take a break, enjoy the ride and see the event from a different perspective.
The trolley rides were just one of the many ways families could explore, play and connect throughout the day.
Celebrating Our Community
Be My Neighbor Day was made possible by so many community partners who shared their time, talents and resources with our neighbors.
Throughout the afternoon, CultureALL ambassadors took families on a journey around the world. Each hour featured a different ambassador from a different country, bringing educational and hands-on activities that gave kids and families an opportunity to learn about new cultures while having fun together.
We were also happy to welcome Cups of Kindness to provide snacks for everyone! Part of The Hope Foundation of Iowa, Cups of Kindness creates inclusive employment opportunities for individuals of all abilities. Its Kindness Ambassadors gain valuable work experience and life skills while serving food and beverages to the community. It was a wonderful fit for an event centered around kindness, inclusion and making a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you to WesleyLife, the Johnston Police Department, the Johnston Fire Department, CultureALL, the Des Moines Public Library, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Metro Waste Authority, Volunteer Iowa and ChildServe for helping make the day special. From public safety and environmental education to cultural experiences and community resources, our partners helped families discover more about the people and organizations that make our communities strong.
Thank You!
There was no shortage of ways for little minds to stay busy. Families explored hands-on activities with community partners and got to experiment, create and learn with the Iowa PBS Education STEAM trailer.
The afternoon was a great reminder that learning can happen anywhere, especially when families have the chance to explore together.
Thank you to everyone who spent part of their day with us at Be My Neighbor Day. We loved seeing Iowa PBS filled with so many families and neighbors coming together to celebrate kindness, community and the joy of being a good neighbor.