BELLOWS FALLS — A group of children from the First Universalist Parish of Chester has created a mural to brighten the Greater Falls Warming Shelter.
Working with artist Jamie Townsend of Springfield as part of a religious education project focused on social action and homelessness, the youngsters painted a colorful scene depicting hands holding a heart and a bird singing in a tree while the sun shines brightly down on them all.
The mission of the Greater Falls Warming Shelter is to provide a safe, warm overnight shelter during the winter months for those in need. It serves towns in the Greater Falls area principally, including Rockingham, Westminster, Athens, Grafton, North Walpole and Walpole, N.H.
The mural will hang in the shelter, which is located in North Walpole, N.H., this year.
The shelter is open every night during the winter season (November to April) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The children unveiled the mural at the shelter's recent benefit showing of “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” at the Bellows Falls Opera House.
Townsend is a painter, illustrator, and sculptor who says his artistic mission is to share art with the community, to teach kids about art, and expose them to the power of art.
“When an artist shares or donates his art to a community, it becomes theirs to embrace,” he said recently, citing how, in much of Europe, art is appreciated and supported, even in the smallest towns.
Rev. Telos Whitfield, pastor of the church and a board member of the shelter, said the board was grateful for Townsend's involvement and the children's dedication to the project.
“I'm sure this mural will bring a literal and figurative ray of sunshine to the guests at the warming shelter,” he said.
Since its opening in November, the shelter has housed more than 35 different guests, with a maximum allowed of 10 each night. It expects to remain open until early April.
Information about the shelter is available on Facebook or by writing [email protected]. Volunteers to staff the 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and 1 to 7 a.m. shifts are always needed, with training provided, Whitfield said.