TIPTON, Ind. (WTHR) — "Heroes Work Here." The sign says it all, whether it's outside a utility company, a hospital, a grocery store or a post office.
Essential workers are carrying on with their duties while public health officials and the federal government are telling the majority of Americans to stay home in the wake of the new coronavirus.
"Our job is not always easy and then you put something like this pandemic, this virus that can’t be seen on top of our normal dangers and perils that we deal with and it can be kinda scary," said Tipton Police Sgt. Brad Robins.
He said he was surprised when he discovered the "Heroes Work Here" sign in front of the station.
"And then I learned it was an anonymous donor that had the signs printed and then the Hoosier Sign Guy installed them," Robins said.
Seeing it every day he comes into work during the pandemic makes a difference.
"It re-inspires you every day that someone cared enough just to make sure that they know that they’re thankful for you," Robins said. "You know we need to come out and do our best work for them."
Blake Langley, the owner of Hoosier Sign Guy, said this all started on March 31 with an order for less than a dozen signs.
Langley said IU Health is one of the company's large health care clients.
"[Tipton Hospital President] Mike Harlowe kinda had an idea to boost moral so he wanted us to order some of those (Heroes Work Here signs) and put them around Tipton," Langley said.
"I don't think that word is limited to just comic books. I think we have heroes all around us especially in the midst of crisis," Harlowe said.
Like with any of his other sign jobs, Langley posted photos on the Hoosier Sign Guy Facebook page.
"And from there it just snowballed. We've had people ordering signs and we're donating the install if they're close," Langley said.
Langley said in the last three days, he's received at least 150 orders for the signs.
"That's great!" Harlowe said.
Harlowe laughed with surprise when he learned that dozens of anonymous donors were now calling to request the signs.
"Ninety percent of them don't want any recognition which is really cool," Langley said.
He said they just want to make sure the essential workers in the communities know that they are appreciated.
"Obviously a lot of health care (workers). We've done grocery stores, post office, fire station, police offices, everywhere we can customize them how people want," Langley said.
Langley said while this may have begun in Tipton, these signs can now be spotted around the state.
"All through Howard County, Tipton County, Madison County, Marion County, Hamilton County, and southern Indiana," Langley said.
Sgt. Robins said it doesn’t surprise him that Hoosier Sign Guy said the "Heroes Work Here" signs started in Tipton.
"Tipton County is unlike a lot of counties. We're small, we’re rural but we’re very close knit. We support our public and our public supports us and a lot of counties can’t say that. And it just shows a lot of pride that the community has in us and that we have back in them," Robins said.
"Our job is not always easy and then you put something like this pandemic, this virus that can’t be seen on top of our normal dangers and perils that we deal with and it can be kinda scary. But its really awesome it’s a good feeling that our community has our back," Robins added.
Harlowe said people need to rely on one another, and in moments of crisis, that becomes all the more apparent.
The ‘Heroes Work Here’ sign with stars in front of Tipton hospital was ordered by IU Health and made by McCormack Printing.