With messages like “keep running,” “stay brave,” and “together we stand,” people around the U.S. have shown their support for the city of Boston and the Boston Marathon survivors through colorful signed canvases.
Started by Florida women, Prayer Canvas USA intends to show unity and spark compassion after the Boston Marathon bombings last April. Although they lived far from Boston, the project’s organizers were deeply moved by the tragedy endured by the city.
The organizers sent out 200 canvases around the country and since its start, over 100,000 people have been involved with the project. All 50 states are represented on a canvas, with most states sending multiple canvases. The canvases have travelled to state fairs, schools, rehab centers, MLB games and even NASCAR races. Recently, the canvases traveled to Capitol Hill, where the U.S. House and Senate signed included their own messages as well.
“It’s amazing how important it is for the people who’ve done the canvases for us [to be] represented here,” Daryl Sissman, one of the project’s organizers, told BostInno. “They feel so strongly that they want the city of Boston and the survivor community to know that they haven’t forgotten.”
The project came to Boston this week to honor the one year anniversary of the Marathon bombings. Since they’ve arrived, the canvases has been signed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the Boston Medical Center staff.
Most recently, the full set of canvases were displayed at yesterday’s Boston Marathon bombing memorial. If you would like to see the canvases or sign one, they will be on display on the grass at the Boston Common on April 16 and 17 by the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street. On April 20th, the canvases will be presented during the Red Sox pre-game show and broadcast on ESPN.
“It’s amazing to watch the canvas grow,” said Kari Wagner, Founder of The America 4 Boston Prayer Canvas in a statement. “It’s awe-inspiring to watch our country come together in times of need. I think it says, ‘Even though you may never see us, or know me as a person I’m thinking of you, and I care.’”
To find out more about the project, check out Prayer Canvas USA’s website, Facebook page and Twitter.
