“River of Hope” deadline extended through July 20

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By John Few Published

1:08 pm Friday, July 10, 2020

“River of Hope” deadline extended through July 20

MADISON – There is still time to get involved in a project that is bringing the Madison community together in a unique way. The deadline to participate in Madison Visionary Partners’ “River of Hope” project has been extended to July 20.

Madison Visionary Partners (MVP) has been collaborating with other Madison non-profit organizations to create a ‘River of Hope’ at Dublin Park to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. The River of Hope will be built out of stones painted by local families, groups and businesses.

Executive Director of Madison Visionary Partners, Liz Brinton, says they are “excited about it.” She believes the community is just as enthusiastic: “Folks are excited get out of the house and paint rocks and support the community.”

Volunteers have been braving the heat to create the River on “Bill’s Hill” within the park. The River is a positive testament to the many ways the Madison community came together to help one another during COVID-19.

The idea to paint rocks came when Brinton noticed painted rocks as mile-markers on the Bradford trail. Though the location has changed, to Dublin Park, the message has not. Brinton wanted to create a place that is “visibly beautiful where people can set a rock next to others.”

“We are asking participants to paint their rock with a positive one-word message of hope and resilience as our community comes together to overcome the COVID pandemic,” Brinton explained. “Or they can honor a special person in your life who has inspired them during the pandemic by painting their name on a rock. After they are done painting it, they drop it off at one of our three stone depots.”

Other non-profits, including the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison City Schools, Rotary Club of Madison, JustServe.org and American Legion Post 229, are joining forces to bring the river to life.

In a statement on the project, Dr. Ed Nichols, Superintendent of Madison City Schools, said he believes “it is one more platform for citizens to show solidarity and hope as we go through this pandemic.”

Liaison for MVP and the City of Madison, Marc Jacobson, reverberated this sentiment, saying it is a “marker of hope” and “great amenity for the city.”

Sponsorshave been donating the supplies to build the river.

All the proceeds from the project will go towards relief. Funds will be raised through sales of the stones.

For more information about the “River of Hope” and how to help with the project, go to https://madison-visionary-partners.square.site/