Harvey and a group of volunteers recently completed the first tree in the project, located near the intersection of N. 8th Ave. and E. State St., with the theme of “Feeling Blue, But Marshalltown Strong.” She then hosted a public meeting on Sept. 8, hoping to recruit folks interested in aiding in the project.

“No one showed up to the meeting,” she said. “Everybody loves the idea, but nobody thinks they’re artistic enough to help. That’s okay, because now I got it down to a science. I can do it much quicker, and Johnny is a great help.”

Johnny Robovsky has served as Harvey’s assistant, doing decorating work that has required the use of a ladder. The pair recruited neighborhood children to help put an artistic spin on one of the latest trees in the project, located at 208 S. 16th Ave. This tree, with the theme of “Colors of Change,” features a bicycle sticking out from one side of the arbor and a mobile made from a repurposed chandelier. Recycled fabrics, including knitted afghans, crocheted blankets, old sweaters and sequenced clothing items make up the bulk of the materials used, in what Harvey calls “yarn bomb” installation art.

“It seems to pull in people from around where we’re doing the tree,” she said. “Five guys building a garage next door just came over with their ladder and put the bike up.”

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Involving folks who live in the neighborhoods in which the trees are decorated is a vital part of the project. Here youngsters Saulo Matthew, Genesis and Abraham Hernandez paint a tree located at 208 S. 16th Ave. with the theme of “Colors of Change.” Johnny Robovsky and Linda Harvey look on.

Abraham, Saulo Matthew and their little sister Genesis reside nearby and eagerly painted colorful designs and messages of hope on an exposed side of the tree.

“We want to participate in this because after the storm everything was gloomy. We just want to make things more happy and more colorful,” their mother, Ventura Hernandez, said.

The tree is located on property at Rose Johnson’s residence. Her son Jason Mull and daughter Lisa Jenkins have helped in the decorating.

“I like it. I sit and look at it,” Johnson said.

Mull said he was happy the tree was not taken down, as it serves as a “souvenir” of their experience living through the storm.

Harvey has begun work decorating an old, distinctive-looking tree in the public parking lot off South Second Street and West Church Street. It is called “‘Peacing’ the Community Back Together” and is in its beginning stages.

The fourth tree set for bedecking is located in the 13th Street District near the Embers Retirement Community,1211 W. Main St., and will be called “Brightening the Neighborhood.” Harvey wanted to get input from the displaced residents of the facility. While working at her day job at the Best Western Regency Inn, she made the acquaintance of Joan and Charles Fry, who are currently living at that hotel while their apartment at the Embers is renovated. They have taken a keen interest in Harvey’s project.

“The tree decorating is very ingenious,” Charles said.

“The (latest) tree is going to be colorful. I would never have imagined it,” Joan said.

People who would like to suggest a tree to be decorated may reach out to Harvey directly. Supplies are always needed, as well as adults and children interested in getting involved.

For more information, call or text her at 641-260-0810 or email at snshinemom@yahoo.com

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at (641) 753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com