Lamar Earns Community of the Year Award for Fourth Time in Six Decades

By Kristi Spencer

When it comes to community spirit, Lamar, Missouri, doesn’t just talk the talk. They show up, pitch in and continue building on a 60-year legacy of making life better for their neighbors.

This year, Lamar was honored once again with the Missouri Community Betterment’s grand prize, the Gene Speichinger Award for Community of the Year. It’s a title the town has earned four times over the last six decades.  

Lamar’s participation in Missouri Community Betterment (MCB) stretches back to 1965, when the Lamar Community Betterment Council was formed with a mission statement that read “To help make Lamar a better place to live, work and raise families.” The group brings together volunteers from local businesses, government, civic clubs, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and the Lamar Democrat newspaper. Their structure allows them to serve as an umbrella for organizing community initiatives and partnerships.

This year’s award recognized a series of impactful projects that reflect Lamar’s ongoing commitment to growth and collaboration.

One of the 2025 submissions was the development of the Lamar Community Center, a building gifted to Lamar Community Betterment for community-wide use. Future plans include YMCA programming and multi-generational activities that will benefit residents across age groups.

Another key project was the Lamar City Hall Relocation, where City Hall moved into a formerly empty space on the historic Lamar square. The remodeled facility now offers more room, better working conditions for staff and improved accessibility for residents.

The community also celebrated a big win with the Wyatt Earp Park, which earned top recognition in the Best Planning Process category. The park was developed as a tourism attraction to share the story of a young Wyatt Earp and was completed in October 2023. It now serves as a venue for school functions, family outings and community events. The Barton County Chamber Foundation led the project with the goal of “promoting progress in Barton County through business and community development.”

Lamar’s history was also preserved and revitalized through the Barco Drive-In Outdoor Movie Screen project. The Barco Drive-In originally opened in 1950, but it needed a new screen after decades of use and weathering. Community members raised an impressive $166,000 through donations to save the beloved drive-in. The project received the Most Creative Funding Effort award, and the updated drive-in reopened May 3, welcoming moviegoers from Lamar and neighboring towns.

The Barton County Community Foundation, another 2024 submission and category winner, has also played a vital role in Lamar’s success, donating over a million dollars to local nonprofit organizations and projects over the past 10 years.

When news broke that Lamar had once again claimed the traveling trophy, Kim O’Sullivan, director of the Barton County Chamber of Commerce, says, “Our community knows our value, but it was certainly nice to have others recognize us with this acknowledgement.”

According to Kim, MCB stands out from other programs because it brings people together. “Community Betterment is an organization made up of many local non-profits working together for the betterment of the community. Although each has its own mission and goals, they set them aside to get behind the projects each year to assure their success. A very supportive and positive group working for the greater good.”

The success of these projects was made possible through partnerships between local businesses, schools, churches and civic groups. Kim adds, “There are so many, but I feel the Lamar Community Betterment has the best representation of cooperation by many organizations having a seat at the same table.”

Youth leadership is another pillar of Lamar’s success. Elaine Davis, youth program associate for the MU extension in Barton County, works closely with students in Barton County’s 4-H program and shared the two projects that stood out this year. The Memorial Park Landscaping Project, led by 4-H clubs, including Learn A Do, Shiloh and Teen Leaders, earned the Best Youth-Led Project award. Youth members applied for a grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture and worked to plant trees, relocate existing ones and revamp flower beds using red, white and blue blooms.

Their second effort, Truman Healthcare Farm Day, was awarded the Most Heartfelt Project. 4-H members brought animals to the nursing care center and formed a large circle so residents could enjoy the animals up close.  

“The residents loved seeing the animals and stepping back in time with memories from their past,” Elaine says. “The youth were proud to share their 4-H projects and provide a priceless moment for the residents.”

Students were present at the MCB Conference when the awards were announced. “The youth were overwhelmed when their names were announced. No one knows the recipients of awards until the moment of announcement at the conference,” Elaine shares.

Through 4-H member-led meetings, the groups nominated projects and made the decisions, giving them ownership of the project from start to finish. Elaine says, “My part is to ask what do you need help with, and then I can help them. Confidence grows with teamwork, making friends and doing one’s best to make a difference in the community.”

Elaine says what they learn goes beyond the project at hand. “Every year, it’s a new opportunity to make a difference in our community. The service projects are life skill projects. Working as youth-adult partnerships, they are preparing for the future.”

When asked what the award represents, Kim says, “Our members and the community are our ‘WHY,’ so when they win, we are proud and share in their accomplishments! The trophy is special, and few communities have had the privilege of hosting it throughout the years.”

She also believes this recognition will inspire others. “It shines a very bright light, and we hope it sets an example that they can accomplish big goals for their communities as well.”

For Lamar, the award is much more than a title. It’s a reminder that when you invest in people, teamwork and the place you call home, good things follow.

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