April 3, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Quilters Creating for Caretakers & Dinosaurs on Main Street | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |

Photo credit: Mercantile on Main, Coshocton, Ohio

The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage.

Quilters Creating for Caretakers. Two businesses in Our Town Coshocton in Coshocton, Ohio, have joined forces to sew personal protective equipment (PPE). Quilting stores Mercantile on Main and Rose of Sharon Retreat have rallied their regular shoppers and fellow quilters together with a goal of creating 1,000 masks. All masks will be going to service providers and home health agencies. Their initiative has brought the community together, with local sewers opening their sewing boxes to share materials and help sew. Even their suppliers are getting involved in the movement with one flying 800 yards of elastic from France to their stores. A heroic effort by all to support those on the frontline. Thanks for leading the charge, Mercantile on Main and Rose of Sharon Retreat!


Dinosaurs on Main Street? Taking fun to a whole new epoch, Troy Main Street in Troy, Ohio, encouraged residents to visit downtown and wave hello to this friendly dinosaur spreading positivity along Main Street. Truly just delightful.

Coloring Contest. Astoria Downtown Historic District Association in Astoria, Oregon, hosted an online coloring contest. Run through the program’s Facebook page, the “Stay Home Save Lives – Coloring Contest” included a collection of coloring pages of buildings and other architectural features from around Downtown Astoria. Submissions were featured around downtown with winners announced in mid-April.

At Home! Movie Contest. Moviemakers, get ready! Downtown Las Cruces Partnership in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is sharing a new opportunity from Film Las Cruces called “At Home! Movie Contest.” With the community encouraged to stay home, Film Las Cruces wants to encourage residents to have some fun and create entertaining and educational videos to share. This contest has three categories: Best Short Film, Best Family Film, and Best Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the Importance of Social Distancing.

We look forward to sharing more Main Street community responses. Please fill out this form if your community has implemented an idea or approach you'd like to contribute.

Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal, insurance, liability, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal, insurance, tax, and accounting advisors for guidance on these matters.