GREENFIELD — There’s a smiling 20-foot-long sea dragon snaking its way across the top floor of an unassuming two-story Greenfield home.
Rachel Holmes and her 5-year-old son, Elliott, created the colorful paper dragon using tempera paint sticks on newsprint, taping up different sections in the windows of their home’s top floor. Paper hearts adorn the first-floor windows.
Holmes — who owns the Indie Art Studio in downtown Greenfield — was inspired to create something eye-catching and unique in response to the #GreenfieldCares initiative launched by the city of Greenfield, encouraging local residents to take part in a different unifying activity each day of the week.
The city partnered with other organizations to create an ongoing series of daily activities — from creating inspirational chalk art to gathering on front porches to pausing for a moment of prayer.
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The initiative is meant to “spark citywide spirit and encourage fun and creative ways for residents to remain connected and support one another, despite the limitations posed by current physical distancing guidelines,” according to program partners, which include the city of Greenfield, Hancock Health, NineStar Connect and the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation.
Hancock Health has been contracted to lead the effort on behalf of the city, although the entire Hancock County community is encouraged to join in.
The daily challenges go like this:
Mondays are for Art in the Window, for posting homemade artwork in windows for passersby to see; Tuesdays are Chalk Your Walk, for chalking out messages of hope on sidewalks and driveways; Wednesdays are Light the Night, when everyone is invited to gather on their porches with some form of light at 8 p.m., whether it’s a porch light, flashlight or candle; Thursdays are Dress like a Superhero, when you can dress in a cape, or scrubs, or both; Fridays are Join in Prayer, when the community is encouraged to pause for prayer at noon; Saturdays for Spread Kindness, encouraging the public to be extra kind and lift someone up; Sundays are for Trail Time, when everyone is encouraged to get outdoors and go for a walk.
Participants are encouraged to share pictures of their activities on the “Greenfield Community” Facebook page.
Heidi Chestnut jumped at the chance to create chalk art with her daughter, Dusti Chestnut, on a recent Tuesday after hearing about the initiative from her pastor.
“I am always happy to be a part of something that brings people together and reminds them that in a time full of uncertainties, one thing for certain is that life and love are still very much going on all around them in our community,” Chestnut said.
Holmes, who crafted the dragon, felt the same way. She wanted to create window art that was especially eye-catching and unique to engage with passersby in her Winfield Park neighborhood.
“We chose hearts since they were popular and a goofy sea dragon to span across the four windows of our home. So far the neighbors seem to like it,” she said. “I’m all for anything that can help foster a sense of community in Greenfield, so I’m loving the Greenfield Community page and the #GreenfieldCares movement.”
Getting people talking and connected is the driving force behind the movement, said Jenn Cox, who is leading the program as director of marketing and business development for Hancock Health.
Greenfield mayor Chuck Fewell hopes the #GreenfieldCares initiative will give local residents a sense of unity in an otherwise disconnected time.
“This pandemic is historic and can feel quite isolating. Our hope is that this special initiative helps our community stay active, connected and engaged in new ways, while staying safe and practicing social distancing,” he said.
Steve Long, CEO and President of Hancock Health, agrees. “We’re all in this together,” he said. “It’s important that we look out for each other, support one another and help each other feel connected amid the uncertainty.”
Greenfield residents can participate and engage by posting photos using the initiative’s hashtag #GreenfieldCares on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or by commenting with photos and videos in the daily themed post thread on the Greenfield Community Facebook page.
The daily community challenges were launched in early April, but the Greenfield Community collaboration was created before the current health crisis began. The movement has picked up momentum in these trying times.
It was designed to provide a central point of contact for “all things Greenfield,” from arts and entertainment to school and municipal news, according to Cox.
The Greenfield Community is also promoting other initiatives on social media, like the White Ribbon for Healthcare Heroes campaign, which encourages community members to hang a white ribbon on a front window, front door or around a tree in their front yard in support of health-care workers.
Those without access to white ribbons are encouraged to consider using other materials like white grocery bags, t-shirts or even socks. “Find a unique way to show your support, and your white ribbon will be all the more special since you’re also showing that you haven’t left to buy supplies. Don’t forget that staying at home is crucial to stopping the spread of COVID-19,” read one post.
This week, Cox also launched a Mental Health Monday campaign, posting tips to foster mental health.
Monday’s post read: “‘Remember to fill your cup, because you can’t pour from an empty one. #MentalHealthMondays #SelfCareMatters”
“We will be building on this in the next few weeks with the addition of Mental Health Monday and an Inspiring campaign we are working on with video, so stay tuned,” Cox said.
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The Greenfield Community collaboration has launched a series of daily challenges to unify the community in these trying times. All Hancock County residents are encouraged to join in.
Monday – Art in the Window (Share pictures of your positive window art)
Tuesday – Chalk Your Walk (Share messages of hope in chalk)
Wednesday – Light the Night (gather in front of your homes with a form of light at 8 p.m.)
Thursday – Dress like a Superhero (Cape or scrubs, or maybe both)
Friday – Join in Prayer (each Friday at noon join the community in prayer)
Saturday – Spread Kindness (Be extra kind, lift someone up)
Sunday – Trail Time (Share pictures of your favorite Greenfield spot for a calming walk)
Source: Jenn Cox, Hancock Health
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