Franklin’s “Hearts of Kindness” project once again brought a touch of brightness to Franklin, this time following what has been a difficult, bleak year for many.

“This has been going on for a few years, now,” says Anne Marie Tracey, Marketing and Communications Specialist for the town of Franklin. Tracey explains that a Franklin resident who teaches in Uxbridge borrowed the idea from that town, bringing it to Franklin. “The idea behind it is to spread messages of kindness to our community,” says Tracey. The hearts were created by students in the Franklin community, both in schools and in other community groups. Some have inspirational messages, and others encourage the readers to go out and spread kindness to others.

“This is a bright spot in what has been a very difficult year,” says Tracey. 

 Justin Veilleux and Roman Pisani worked together to spread community cheer.

On a freezing cold February afternoon, students from Franklin High School, hoping to inspire walkers-by, trudged through a couple feet of snow to help Tracey hang the hearts.

Clare Bowen, 16, participated for the first time with two of her friends. 

“I feel like it’s a good thing to do, especially now,” says Bowen. “It’s nice to go on the common, where the town center is, and see some sort of life.”