Photo by Mike Lamb A message of positivity is display on the window at the State Farm office on Main Street in Marshall. State Farm Agent Christian Becker said he decorated his office with his own signs of hope and optimism.

MARSHALL — At a time when messages of solidarity and inspiration are needed the most, a local business on Main Street and a family residence on Second Street have provided the people of Marshall with a source of positivity through decorative signs on their windows.

On Second Street, Ashley and Klayton VanOverbeke are spreading a message of cohesiveness with three words on their window surrounded by hearts: in this together. The idea came from a Facebook article that highlighted individuals leaving their Christmas lights on as way to spread positivity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My wife kind of spearheaded the whole thing,” said Klayton VanOverbeke. “She wanted to do like a craft project where the kids could help out. We have three kids, so it kind of started as a craft project of just cutting things out but then she decided she was going to post them on the front window here and she asked me ‘do you think I should say in this together’ and I said yeah. I think that everyone wants kind of a positive message.”

Given its close proximity to Independence Park, the sign has caught the attention of numerous people walking by.

“We were outside here and people that were walking through the park said ‘oh is that your house? It’s so inspirational I love that’ and so it’s been good,” VanOverbeke said.

One local business has joined in the pursuit of spreading positivity as local State Farm Agent Christian Becker decorated his office with his own signs of hope and optimism.

“State Farm is doing a nationwide commercial for that and we thought it would be a good idea to put it on our window too,” Becker said.

While the office remains closed as a result of the governor’s orders, it hasn’t stopped the people of Marshall from showing their appreciation for the new signs on Becker’s Facebook page.

“We closed to be proactive and follow the governor’s guidelines to do social distancing and stay at home so I’m working from home at the moment, but I actually got a bunch of Facebook messages that liked the sign from people that know me,” Becker said.