'Thanks A Million!': Champlin Woman Hopes To Inspire Others To Be Thankful

CHAMPLIN (WCCO) -- This is the week when we pause to consider the many reasons we're thankful. But for one woman in the north metro, that happens every week.

Lisa Steinberg of Champlin is leading a movement to get more people to express their gratitude every day of the year.

She knows how often people complain when things go wrong, but say little to nothing when things go right. She's out to change that, with a lofty goal of touching the lives of a million people.

It starts with a simple Thank You card. Steinberg said she sends at least one a week – usually to people she doesn't know, people who are just doing what they're paid to do.

"I want them to know that their jobs matter to me," she said.

From the city crews who keep her water running and her street plowed, to the workers who make her favorite cereal, Lisa sends handwritten Thank You cards.

She hopes to inspire others with a new book, titled "Thanks A Million!". It's a collection of her messages to people who make her grateful, like Merridy Shanks, the friendly cashier at the grocery store.

Steinberg stopped by the Cub Foods in Champlin to give Shanks a copy of the book.

"I think it's really wonderful," Shanks said, "because a lot of times you feel underappreciated."

Steinberg said if everyone took the time to thank one person for doing a good job, it would change the world.