Steve you make really good points and observations in this post. Even the small seemingly insignificant things that are done in a positive way add up over time and strengthen the community.
A simple smile to a stranger can brighten a persons day when you pass them on the street. You may never know it, but the person receiving the smile will , and it may lead to that person brightening some other person's day with them giving a smile to some other stranger.
Some of the strongest communities that I come across in my travels are not the ones with big houses and gated entrances, but the ones with small 2 bedroom 1 bath clapboard siding structures, occupied by people with big hearts full of kindness and respect for their fellow man.
The worth of a man is not measured by his wealth.
Just my thoughts on the subject,
@sultnpapper