FRANKLIN, Ind. (WTHR) – Erin Smith and Susan McCarty are making stops all over Johnson County this week, marking the homes of frontline heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The co-owners of Spotlight Strategies in Franklin are delivering yard signs that read “A Hero Lives Here”.
"How can we bring some sunshine, you know, to what's been just a really trying time in everyone's life?” Smith says is the idea behind the project.
Spotlight Strategies designed the yard signs to let people honor health care and retail workers, truck drivers, teachers and first responders, anyone working with increased risk for coronavirus. People can order a sign with a personal or anonymous tag.
“I liked the individual nature of being able to have one person thank another person from their heart,” said McCarty.
The small marketing specialties business makes signs, apparel, promotional items and does printing for primarily business customers. The printing portion of the business dates back to 1947 with previous owners. McCarty and Smith have been business partners for more than a decade.
Spotlight Strategies remains open for the essential business supply chain, including making local fire department, EMS and hospital uniforms. But lost business from COVID-19 restrictions forced cuts from 11 to four full-time employees, plus the owners.
They started printing the hero signs Monday afternoon. Orders for free signs hit the limit of 1,000 early Tuesday evening.
"As people are ordering these signs online, they're feeling compelled to tell us just how special these people are in their lives and that's been really special, just to take the time to listen and hear that,” said Smith.
The owners are personally delivering the first 1,000 yard signs.
"We had a window open up, and somebody yelled 'thank you' from the window,” said McCarty. “And then we've had reach outs through Facebook where people are like, 'Oh my gosh I went out to do my shift and it was such a great way to start my night.'"
Individuals can still order signs at cost for $2 each through Sunday, but delivery is no longer available.
All new orders will be available for pick up on or before April 20 at the Spotlight Strategies offices, 170 Commerce Drive, Franklin.