Members of local Kiwanis clubs are working to make sure that essential workers, from grocery clerks to first responders, know that they are appreciated in these difficult times.

Kiwanis is an international service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of children and communities.

Kiwanis clubs in Warren and St. Charles counties are participating in a program called “A Million Thanks,” with the stated goal of handing out a million thank you cards to essential workers around the U.S.

Club members Ed and Martha Radginski said they got clubs in Warrenton, Wright City, O’Fallon and Cottleville involved after seeing the private sponsors of the Million Thanks program advertising it on TV.

Ed Radginski said they’ve now gotten more than 100 people involved in handing out around 800 thank you cards in their communities.

“We gave them to (Kiwanis) members and told them to find people who needed a thank you,” said Ed. “With what’s going on right now, it’s important to thank the people who are taking care of the community.”

The cards come in a variety of colors and designs, each with a message of thanks on the outside. The inside is left blank, Ed remarked, so that the thanker can write individual notes to the people they see serving their community.

The Million Thanks program is sponsored by USAC Racing and Leader Paper Products, based in Milwaukee. Martha Radginski said they were watching a televised racing event when they saw the Million Thanks ad.

“And we said, ‘Wow, this is great.’ So we wrote them, and they sent us a bunch of cards,” Martha commented. “There’s so many people that had to work during this pandemic, and we wanted to thank them for all that they are doing.”

Ed added that Kiwanis International has also been making an extra push to recruit more people who want to serve their community. The international organization has lifted its portion of annual club dues until Sept. 25, which is about $100, he said.

That means for anyone who wants to join a community service organization with a focus on serving children, membership signups are exceptionally cheap for one more week. Membership in the Wright City Kiwanis Club is only $10, and membership in Warrenton Kiwanis Club is $20, Ed Radginski said. Those dues cover club costs and help contribute to community programs.

Ed said he’s hopeful more people will sign up to serve their neighbors.

“These are areas that really need community help,” he commented.

For more information about local Kiwanis clubs, email shadt@kiwanis.org in Warrenton, or kiwaniswrightcity@gmail.com in Wright City.