Placement Of Winter Apparel Items On Downtown Statues Enters Sixth Season
PLACEMENT OF WINTER APPAREL ITEMS
ON DOWNTOWN STATUES ENTERS SIXTH SEASON
Winter apparel placement highlights community need;
Initiates National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week activities
RAPID CITY--If Martin, Lyndon, Harry and the 40 other downtown presidential statues sport a more seasonal look with colorful winter attire, it's not a prank. This winter marks the sixth season when winter apparel items can officially be placed on the statues.
The placement of cozy, warm and comfortable winter apparel on the statues isn't meant to keep Zachary, Millard and Ulysses warm this winter. They serve as convenient bronze mannequins for the placement of gloves, scarves, ear muffs, hats, coats - even socks - to be collected by those in need of the items before and during cold and blustery winter days.
Even the statues of the First Dogs - Barney and Liberty - have been known to sport a colorful scarf or stocking cap to be taken by someone who can put them to good use.
This is the sixth winter season the items are approved by the City for placement on the statues. During wintery conditions, the items are often taken soon after placement by individuals who need them. Churches, schools and other organizations have also joined in the random placement of apparel items on statues by local residents.
Mayor Steve Allender authorized the placement of winter apparel items on downtown statues in November 2015 and the City Council approved the resolution in April 2016 allowing items to be placed on the statues annually from November 15-March 15.
"It's great to see the level of community response and the tremendous outpouring of support this project receives each winter," said Mayor Allender. "That pair of gloves, or winter scarf or stocking cap has an immediate impact on the person who stops to collect them and for the person who donated it or placed the item on the statue, it's knowing that item is making a difference in a person's life."
Authorized placement of winter apparel items on the downtown statues also coincides with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, this year observed November 15-21.
After March 15, any items placed on the statues will be removed.
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Thank you,
Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator
T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551
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