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Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Artist Ali Wilkins, left, with Tambrie Kitchens and Jon Barnwell of Re/Max Town and Country of Rabun.
CLAYTON— Now more than ever, communities need to come together and support each other.
Rabunites are showing their support to those braving the frontlines during this time of crisis through food and supply donations, prayers and words of encouragement.
Re/Max Town and Country of Rabun is displaying their support by decorating the windows at their E Savannah St. office in Clayton.
“The inspiration for our Re/Max office window came from an article Jon Barnwell and I read about #AWorldOfHearts, which is a creative way to show love and connection by placing hearts in windows,” said Tambrie Kitchens, realtor for Re/Max.
Barnwell is Associate Broker for Re/Max.
People across the country are decorating windows for #AWorldOfHearts and Kitchens said that Re/Max is participating to show that even during this time of separation, we can all get through this difficult time united.
“During this season of social distancing, we need a warm reminder that we are in this together and that we are united in our efforts to fight this pandemic together,” Kitchens said.
Kitchens reached out to artist and friend Ali Wilkins to paint the “timely” window message.
“I just think it’s a really good idea to show your gratitude to those who have to be on the front line every day,” Wilkins said about why she chose to be involved with the project.
“I think it’s just a good way to support the community,” she said.
Wilkins gained inspiration for the decoration by looking through windows people decorated for #AWorldOfHearts and that said she liked that the hearts looked like artwork kids would make.
“I just kind of followed after that,” Wilkins said about the design.
Kitchens said this this is a way to spread love during this time and that the community has been very responsive in a positive way to the message.
“I felt very honored about the response,” Kitchens said. “I hope that it is just a message of hope.”
She said that friends and community members have reached out to her by texting, emailing, Facebook messaging and many other ways to show their admiration for the project.
“I am so appreciative for the men and women serving on the front lines of this world-wide issue,” Kitchens said.
“By decorating our window, we hope to send a message to the medical staff and civil servants that we are thankful for them, as they are our heroes serving in this unprecedented time,” Kitchens said.
She said she wanted to give a message to civil servants that we as a community know how hard they are working on behalf of us.
“My thoughts and prayers are with essential personnel who are stocking shelves, cashiering, preparing and delivering meals, as well the first responders, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, and local, state and federal government who are putting their lives at risk to help the lives of others,” Kitchens said. “Their acts of service humble me.”
Barnwell said that the goal is for the office to continue having painted messages on the window as this COVID-19 pandemic continues, but also continue it in the future and share different messages.
Kitchens said that moving forward, instead of making the window display about Re/Max employees that the message should be “one of hope, one of community and one of gratefulness.”
“Let’s make it about our community and just be an inspiration and a message of hope to others,” Kitchens said.
She said that their business would like to be an uplifting voice during these times and that she hopes that the kinder, gentler side of humanity remains once this pandemic passes.
Kitchens said that she wants everyone to be reminded that since we are “home together” in Rabun County we should all “hope together.”
This window dedication is just one way a local business is helping “share love in this time of social distancing.”