Neighbors help neighbors in Hollister

Following the recent heavy snowfall in southwest Missouri, a few social media posts and comments criticized today’s youth for not getting out to help others and earn spending money by shoveling driveways and sidewalks. People making those comments, however, clearly hadn’t visited Hollister, where the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors is alive and well! One Hollister couple recently called the Globe office to share how they and others received some great help from young neighbors. 

Steve and Rowena Drake moved to the area upon retirement in 1996, and worked for several years at Silver Dollar City and Kanakuk. Now in their 80s, they live just off St. Hwy. BB near the Hollister schools. Working to clear their driveway on a day following the snowstorm, they were pleasantly surprised when a young neighbor carrying a shovel showed up to help finish the job. 

That young man was Emery Little, age 9, who lives down the street with his brothers Stetson, 10, and Barrett, 6, and their parents, Jon and Brittany. After Barrett joined Emery to help with the Drakes’ driveway, the brothers moved on to other neighboring driveways and kept working. 

The boys grew tired before they made it around the cul-de-sac, pausing for a rest break by stretching out on a big pile of snow left by the plows going through. By that time, though, the whole family was involved, with Stetson, Jon and Brittany joining in for a family project. “Several of the other neighbors are older people, like us,” explained Rowena Drake. “Another is a widowed single mom. It was a real blessing.” 

As for the Littles, they considered the shoveling an opportunity to encourage their sons to be kind and hardworking. They had planted some seeds with the boys, suggesting as the snow was piling up that it might be nice to think about their neighbors, but Brittany said Emery was the one who took initiative by actually picking up a shovel and heading to the Drakes’ house. Brittany was raised on a farm, where she was “always outside doing something,” and Jon is an Eagle Scout, trained since his own younger years to look for ways to serve others. Their sons attend Hollister schools and are currently involved in Cub Scouts Pack 546. “We just want them to be good people and learn to work hard,” said Brittany. 

Emery said it was “kind of fun” to see the neighbors’ reactions. Most were indoors while the boys worked, and were thrilled when they happened to look outside. Those who work full time were surprised to find clear driveways when they arrived home that day. Brittany said those who did see the kids working, like the Drakes, were very appreciative, with some giving the kids a little cash and plenty of positive feedback like, “Wow, you’re a hard worker!” 

The Globe staff want to join the Drakes and other neighbors in thanking these thoughtful young men and their parents for a great example of what it means to be a good neighbor, and we wish them well!