Community members are invited to participate in painting the mural through Tree Town Murals’ “paint by number” system at Friends In Deed, 1196 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti,Jordyn Pair | jpair@mlive.com

YPSILANTI, MI -- An Ypsilanti nonprofit will be celebrating 40 years with a community mural-painting event.

Friend In Deed, an Ypsilanti nonprofit providing emergency assistance to low and moderate income families in Washtenaw County, will be hosting a mural-painting event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at its building, 1196 Ecorse Road in Ypsilanti. Community members are invited to participate in painting the mural through TreeTown Murals’ “paint by number” system.

“That’s going to be a bright spot on Ecorse Road, which is a road that used to be a lot more vibrant than it is now,” said Trilby MacDonald, the director of development and communication for Friends in Deed. “Unfortunately, economically, it’s not as vigorous as it once was, but we’re hoping to bring back some of that vitality in part through a beautiful mural.”

The mural, designed by Danijel Matanic of TreeTown Murals, depicts people “of all different walks of life and stripes” working together on a construction site to create the word “Community,” MacDonald said.

“We love the idea of all of our stakeholders and the people who live around our building coming together to create this work of art,” Sarah Thornburg, executive director for Friends In Deed, said in a statement. “We think it really illustrates our commitment to building community to end poverty. And we believe it will bring some additional vibrancy to our end of Ecorse Road.”

Started in 1983, Friends in Deed works directly with low and moderate income families in Washtenaw County, serving as a stop-gap in emergency situations. Since 2001, the program has provided more than $1.1 million in direct assistance, as well as donated more than 38,000 beds and 144 cars. It provides both emergency financial assistance and runs a long-term poverty alleviation program.

“We stand between working families – because you do have to be earning income in order to qualify for our services – and disaster,” MacDonald said.

Although Saturday’s event will feature just one mural, roughly 50 other similar pieces will be on display at the Whittaker branch of Ypsilanti Distract Library, 5577 Whittaker Road. The art was created by program participants and volunteers as inspiration for the final mural design.

The display opened on Sept. 1 and will be running at the library until Sept. 13.

“I think that it’s wonderful to use art as a way to inspire people and draw attention to social issues and in a way that is uplifting,” MacDonald said.

The final mural will be revealed and celebrated from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23 at 1196 Ecorse Road in Ypsilanti. Refreshments and children’s activities will be available, accompanied by a DJ and a variety of speakers.

“We are what makes our community great and strong. It’s our working together that creates that unity and creates that vitality, and we can help each other to build a better world,” MacDonald said. “So the Friends In Deed mural will hopefully represent all of that visually, to give us a visual reference for the work that we’ve done.”

For more information about Friends In Deed or to be connected with resources, find the nonprofit online, on social media or by phone at 734-485-7658.

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