A FRESH LOOK — With support from many in the community, Bryson Bodo, a student at Kent State University, has refurbished the two welcome signs in his home community of Unionport. -- Contributed

UNIONPORT — When Bryson Bodo set out to raise funds to restore the two welcome signs in his home community of Unionport, he hadn’t anticipated the outstanding support he received.

Bodo, who is in his second year at Kent State University, said following door-to-door solicitations and an appeal through Facebook for donations for the project, he soon received about $3,000 in donations for the effort.

He added a handful of friends lent materials or labor, while a few local businesses worked to replicate aspects of the original appearance of the signs.

Bodo said the signs at each end of the community along county Road 39 are a common sight for many residents.

“I have driven by one probably every day of my life,” he said of the signs.

After noticing they had deteriorated quite a bit, Bodo decided to attempt to restore them.

The 2023 graduate of Indian Creek High School and son of Robert and Rachel Bodo said it wasn’t to earn any community service hours but only because he wanted to do something for his community.

With help from John Beebe, a friend of the family, Bodo added planters to the base of each sign using wood donated by Kevin and Kim Robinson with brightly colored flowers supplied by It’s All Good Farm.

The wood posts and picket fences that serve as the signs’ “frame” were repainted by Bodo with help from a friend, Bella Pitts.

A U.S. flag and an Ohio flag were added to the sides of the signs, while a header sign reading “Welcome to Unionport” and 10 circular signs representing various local civic groups were replaced through Jim Snyder Signs and Off the Wall Signs.

Bodo said not all of the civic groups still exist, but he felt it would be nice to acknowledge the role they had played in the community.

He said donations for the project came from various sources, including the Wayne Township Community Center, whose leaders posted a request for contributions on its bulletin board; and the Bee Like Jan Foundation, a local charity established in memory of Jan Bee by her sister, Janie Hibbits.

“I didn’t pay for anything out of my pocket. It was all donations,” he said.

Bodo completed the project in about two and a half months while also working at a part-time job and taking summer classes.

He said since he finished, he’s happy to receive positive comments from other residents.

“I’m just glad I was able to make something better in my free time,” said Bodo.

While he has resumed studies at Kent State, he plans to return to the signs to replace the flowers with perennials that can weather the colder months.