Service clubs -- the backbone of our community

I recently attended and participated in the 50 year anniversary celebration of the founding of my service club, Cape West Rotary. I have been a member of this club for 40 years. It was a great event as we reminisced the past, celebrated the present and spoke of the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Cape West Rotary has given over $500,000 to many deserving groups and agencies through the years with funds raised through our annual Radio Auction. We have awarded over $1,100,000 in scholarships to deserving students at Southeast Missouri State University. This has been accomplished mainly by the recruitment of major sponsors who in turn use the majority of students receiving scholarships in their businesses as employees or interns. This program becomes a win/win for both the student and the participating business. New fund raising events such as Duck Races and Senior Matters also create funds that benefit numerous agencies and efforts in our community.

There have been many Cape West Rotarians both past and present who have been deeply involved and dedicated toward the success of the club and ultimately our community, nation and world. Year after year the hard work of the members of our club have resulted in a better and improved Cape Girardeau.

There also is an additional benefit derived from being a member of Cape West Rotary. Many close friendships have been formed and the dedication to community service has encouraged members to get more involved in other organizations and agencies that support our community.

I have spent this week reflecting on the many years of support for the community that is the heart of our club. I then pondered of the many times over that all of the above comments are replicated with all of the various other service clubs in our community. I would submit to the readers that, in no particular order, The Lions Clubs, Optimist Clubs, Kiwanis Club, Zonta, Jaycees and others also fill that same role and are equally dedicated to serving our community and making Cape Girardeau and our area a better place to live and work.

I truly believe that all our local service clubs are the backbones of our city and are a major part of the success and growth of our community.

I, as Mayor of Cape Girardeau, want to say "Thank You" to all members of our service clubs and encourage more citizens to join and get involved with your personal choice of a service club. There are many opportunities for additional service in all of these clubs. You will become a better citizen and feel more a part of our community for having made that decision.

Harry Rediger is the mayor of Cape Girardeau.