Just as Branford’s Ken Engelman hoped when he launched his grassroots, Branford-based “Please Be Kind!” lawn sign campaign in January, the signs (made by recycling expired political lawn signs) and their important message are spreading to other towns. including North Branford and Guilford.

As previously reported, in the month since Engelman launched the project, news of the signs was been picked up by area media, helping to further the momentum of the project.

“With the overwhelming response, people are reaching out to me asking for their own signs,” said Engelman.

Engelman’s next hope is to see signs on display across the state.

“I think every town in Connecticut should have just 15 signs in each town, at strategic locations. And that would inspire enough conversations, and people taking photos of the signs and uploading it to social media, to where the buzz will continue. That’s one of my goals,” he said.

Recently, Engelman teamed with North Branford resident Kim Dawson, who transformed a number of her 2023 campaign signs for the cause. Dawson serves on the North Branford Board of Education.

“With the help of my friend Kim Dawson in North Branford, we created a purple-backed sign to put around in North Branford. Purple is their high school team color, just like red is Branford's high school team color,” said Engelman.

Next, Engelman took up Guilford’s school colors of green and white and created signs for the Guilford community. He’s also made signs in blue and white which have been requested for the West Haven community.

“We're going to continue this kindness campaign, town by town,” said Engelman.

Engelman is also the founder of non-profit Community Volunteers United. He said placing a few of these signs around towns can help remind us all of the value of civility and respect for one another.

Visit Community Volunteers United’s Facebook to see a reel of Engelman and Dawson creating the North Branford signs, or to find out more.