Signs featuring slogans of hope, like “Don’t Give Up,” have been popping up on lawns in Festus and Crystal City over the past few months.
The signs are part of a suicide prevention campaign spearheaded by the Twin City Area Junior Optimist Club.
They are designed to encourage those who encounter the inspirational messages, said Katie Huck, a member of the Twin City Area Optimist Club, a club for adults that sponsors the Junior Optimist Club, which is for those 7 to 18 years old.
“The intention (of the campaign) is to give people hope, that there are people out there who care,” she said. “On our signs, we put a sticker with the phone number for the crisis line from the Jefferson County Suicide Prevention Network, 800-811-4760. It’s for people going through difficult times who need someone to talk to.”
Other slogans on the signs include “You are enough,” “It’s not too late,” “You matter” and “We are all in this together.”
Huck said Maria Hoepfner, a mother of two of the Junior Optimist Club members, suggested the club launch the campaign after seeing similar signs in Kirkwood.
“We found there is a national Don’t Give Up movement not affiliated with Optimist International,” Huck said. “We liked the idea of the signs. We found out you can order the signs from the Don’t Give Up movement. With the COVID pandemic, we know there are a lot of people suffering.”
She said the Junior Optimist Club, which has 18 members, has been raising money to buy the signs.
“To date, we’ve put out over 100 signs in the southern Jefferson County area,” Huck said. “We first started putting up the signs in October of last year.”
She said people have told her they appreciate the signs.
“I can’t tell you how many people have told us the signs help them make it through the day,” Huck said.
Hoepfner’s daughters, Sophia and Josie Hensley, said they feel the club is helping people with its Don’t Give Up effort.
“I’ve heard so many positive comments,” said Sophia, a freshman at Festus High School. “There are a lot of people asking, ‘Where do I get the signs?’ They thought it was something done by the high school because there are signs at the high school. It’s a gratifying program.”
Josie, a seventh-grader at Festus Middle School, said she sees the need for the signs.
“Especially with my peers, there’s a lot of negativity,” she said. “Every time I see the signs, it brings me joy. I think people are enjoying the signs.”
Huck said those who would like a sign for their yard may get one at a special giveaway from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 20, outside the Festus Public Library, 400 W. Main St.
“We’ll give away free Don’t Give Up inspirational signs (while supplies last),” she said. “Donations will be accepted. The signs cost us about $10 each, including the cost of the stickers.”
Huck said the club will continue the campaign for the foreseeable future.
“It’s ongoing for at least the rest of the year,” she said.
For more information, visit the Twin City Area Optimist Club Facebook page and look for the Junior Optimist Club section or call Huck at 314-520-6340.