Mike Wolanin | The Republic Volunteer Carly Blevins helps paint a mural of Dancing C’s on the side of the LHP building next to the Bartholomew County Historical Society for the United Way’s Day of Service in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
The weather was the perfect backdrop Thursday for downtown Columbus’ newest art installation: A “Dancing C’s” mural at the Bartholomew County Historical Society.
This mural was one of just more than 25 projects occurring throughout the community as part of United Way of Bartholomew County’s annual Day of Service. More than 300 volunteers dedicated their time and effort Thursday to better the Columbus community for 18 organizations.
Across two shifts, Cummins and Toyota Material Handling volunteers spent the day spray painting colorful C’s, a pattern originally created by Rand Paul, on to the side of the neighboring LHP building. Using large stencils as their guide, volunteers took to ladders and even a fire escape staircase to completely cover the wall.
“We’re really, really excited about it because this was going to be the backdrop for the Chuck Taylor shoe over here and so the Historical Society saw an opportunity to do something beautiful for the entrance of downtown,” Cummins volunteer and Columbus City Councilwoman Elaine Hilber said. “So we have Cummins volunteers here to make that a reality, and Cummins did help to fund the project as well.”
The mural came about as a partnership between the Historical Society, Cummins, LHP, the Office of Downtown Development, the Columbus Area Arts Council and the Columbus Area Visitors Center. The design was put together by graphic designer and Columbus native Samuel Crawford.
Bartholomew County Historical Society Executive Director Diane Robbins said the mural looks fantastic. She believes it will serve as a very visual and eye-catching entry point to downtown Columbus.
“I think it’s really going to be a photo op for the community,” Robbins said.
“We want to make Columbus Instagramable,” Hilber said.
Hilber said Cummins has always partnered with United Way to help give back to the community and employees are given four hours a year of community service. The Day of Service, she said, is one of her favorite days to volunteer.
“We always try to come out, I try to organize my team to come out and participate because it’s just a lot of fun,” Hilber said. “It’s a fun day and it feels good to give back.”
Of course, not every project was as messy as painting a mural. Four volunteers spent their morning putting together fire safety packets with American Red Cross, and Thursday afternoon, 10 more volunteers hung them on the doors of Candlelight Village residencies.
Each packet has three flyers, in both English and Spanish, that list contact information for the Columbus Fire Department, the free Red Cross emergency app and a home fire safety checklist, according to American Red Cross Executive Director Jim Griffith.
“It just has some good info that maybe not everyone knows,” Griffith said.
Sterns Bank Director of Internal Audit Wendy Wiederhoeft was one of four volunteers who helped put packets together. A returning volunteer, she said the Day of Service not only allows her to give back to the community, but it also allows her to get to know others and network, like she did Thursday with her fellow volunteers.
“… if you have the opportunity, I think it’s a very rewarding experience,” Wiederhoeft said.
