Why are these red heart signs spreading around my area?
March 21, 2021 8:59 AM Subscribe
During my commute I drive through 3 towns. Along the way I see yard signs with red hearts on them. They have no writing of any kind on them so I can’t tell what they signify or where to go to get one for myself. More details and a picture inside.
So my commute takes me through North Attleboro, Attleboro and Seekonk, MA. I started noticing these signs before Valentine’s day, so I assumed that’s what they were there for. But they have only gotten more popular since them, spreading throughout the 3 town area. I did some searching online, but all I found were similar hearts in Westport MA and Maine. The signs in Westport, which is about an hour away, benefit the local food pantry and the ones in Maine were a different size and dimension than the ones I see. And like I said, there is no writing of any kind on them, not even a hash tag, so they are really mysterious. I don’t know any of the people who have them and I’m usually on my way to work when I see them so I haven’t asked anyone in person. Any ideas?
So my commute takes me through North Attleboro, Attleboro and Seekonk, MA. I started noticing these signs before Valentine’s day, so I assumed that’s what they were there for. But they have only gotten more popular since them, spreading throughout the 3 town area. I did some searching online, but all I found were similar hearts in Westport MA and Maine. The signs in Westport, which is about an hour away, benefit the local food pantry and the ones in Maine were a different size and dimension than the ones I see. And like I said, there is no writing of any kind on them, not even a hash tag, so they are really mysterious. I don’t know any of the people who have them and I’m usually on my way to work when I see them so I haven’t asked anyone in person. Any ideas?
I have seen a similar phenomenon in Toronto ON. Actually there is a mix of yard signs and fluorescent hearts in house windows. I think it’s supposed to be a “thank you” to health care workers. I’m not sure if it means the same thing in the US.
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:05 AM on March 21, 2021
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:05 AM on March 21, 2021
Best answer: It's put together by the South Attleboro Lions Club, and it's also a fund raiser benefiting food pantries.
More details here.
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 9:07 AM on March 21, 2021 [5 favorites]
More details here.
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 9:07 AM on March 21, 2021 [5 favorites]
Here is an article about how the signs started in Maine. Well, at least the journalist is under the impression that that is what they're writing about. With such a basic symbol, I would not be surprised if there are multiple origins.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 9:12 AM on March 21, 2021
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 9:12 AM on March 21, 2021
Agreed that it seems to be a fund-raising situation. Both of the articles linked in the question say things along the lines of "it can mean whatever you want it to mean" and "it's apolitical". This reads to my (perhaps cynical) mind as "these signs are for people who don't want a sign that more expressly supports the needs of essential workers but still want a sign in their yard".
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 9:13 AM on March 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 9:13 AM on March 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
I see these as pandemic-related solidarity of one form or another.
Examples:
-Midcoast Maine elementary school art teacher selling them to raise money for the local resource council
-Portland ME flag company selling them to raise money for local restaurant and health workers
-South Shore (Mass) for health/ frontline workers
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:21 AM on March 21, 2021
Examples:
-Midcoast Maine elementary school art teacher selling them to raise money for the local resource council
-Portland ME flag company selling them to raise money for local restaurant and health workers
-South Shore (Mass) for health/ frontline workers
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:21 AM on March 21, 2021
Response by poster: The Lions Club it is. Thank you!
posted by Biblio at 11:40 AM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Biblio at 11:40 AM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 9:04 AM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]