Coronavirus: Deerfield Family Displays Positive Banner

DEERFIELD, IL — Vic Lew and his 15-year-old daughter Jessica wanted to spread relief and happiness through their Deerfield neighborhood in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, they decided to decorate a bedsheet with the message "make someone smile today" and hang it in front their home on Woodward Avenue.

Lew said it his daughter came up with the message and an image of smiley face wearing a face mask. So far, Lew said the sign has been well-received. One of Lew's neighbors across the street texted him to say he was enjoying his coffee and the banner the morning after it was put up.

Aimee Farkas, a neighbor of the Lews, said she was touched to the core by the gesture. When she first saw it while driving down the street, she was brought to tears and immediately pulled over to take a photo.

"There's a lot of appreciation and people who are craving this kind of message," Lew said. "It's been a real pleasure having it up and right now, there's no end point."

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 22: 33,059 Cases; 1,468 Deaths

Deerfield Patch continues to write human-interest profiles on Deerfield-area businesses during the ongoing health crisis. Deerfield Patch has a simple online survey for local small businesses to fill out to let everyone know they are open and their current hours of operation. About a dozen Deerfield businesses have been added to Patch's list so far.

If you want to add your business to Deerfield Patch's list of open and closed businesses, you can do so here.

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