My family and I recently moved to Pecatonica, Illinois, and this past weekend I experienced my first big dose of small-town pride. Here's what I saw when I turned the corner onto Main Street...

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
loading...
Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
loading...
Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
loading...

Most of the world's population is sickened by what is happening in Ukraine right now, and sometimes small displays of support are all you need to see or do to make your heart hurt a little less.

From what I gather, Pecatonica's visual support of Ukrainians was spear-headed by the owner of Forget-Me-Not Floral and German American Bank when they contacted art teachers in the Pecatonica School District to have their students and art clubs create sunflowers to hang in business windows downtown. From there the support blossomed into blue/yellow lights on lamposts and silk sunflowers sprinkled through window displays and planters on Main Street.

Lori McNamer, owner of Forget-Me-Not Floral wrote in the Pecatonica, IL : Unfiltered Facebook group;

200+ sunflowers were painted by our Pec school kids in art classes and PHS art club. 340+ total, including the donation of silk ones from Class of 2021 from their Junior prom they never got from Covid.

 

Both of my daughters painted sunflowers that are displayed in Downtown Pecatonica, so our mission after school today is to find exactly where they are hanging because they were so proud to be a part of this mission.

To everyone in Pecatonica that played a part in prettying up Downtown in support of Ukraine, thank you. Thank you for proving to me once again that we chose a great, caring community to be a part of.

When you get a moment, take a drive down Pecatonica's Main Street to experience the beauty for yourself, and of course, continue praying for peace in Ukraine.

15 Ways You Can Help People in Ukraine Right Now

As Americans watch events unfold in Ukraine, many wonder how they can help. Below is a list of organizations responding to the crisis in Ukraine along with information on how you can support their various missions. 

Tiny Illinois Town is in Guinness Book of World Records 12 Times

One very small Illinois town has built themselves into a giant across the globe and I'll bet you didn't even know. Neither did I. A whole lotta wow going on.

More From 97 ZOK