Anyone who knows the Communications Department’s Michele Larsen, knows that she spreads joy wherever she goes. And when she’s not doing amazing work at the ESD, she’s working feverishly on her non-profit The Joy Team to spread messages of love around the globe. It was through The Joy Team that Michele came up with Chalk the Walks six years ago.

 Michele Larsen and her Joy Team kids in downtown Vancouver at the 2016 Chalk the Walks day.

The international event has grown each year, and this year is set to be its biggest yet with six U.S. municipalities hosting it city-wide. The City of Vancouver is one of the six to encourage its citizens to spread joy in the community by chalking positive messages on sidewalks on Tuesday, August 15th for the 7th annual Chalk the Walks event. The public is invited to pick up chalk at any of the 18 Official Chalk Stations or 11 Neighborhood Associations and chalk positive messages in those places, on their own sidewalks, or join the main event with The Joy Team at City Hall from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be music, selfie stations, Funky Fresh Juice, ice cream and everyone who chalks at City Hall will get a free, inspiring bumper sticker.

Official Chalk Stations in Vancouver include City Hall, Beaches Restaurant, Boomerang Coffee, six Columbia Credit Union branches, two libraries, the Vancouver Mall and more. For a full list, visit http://chalkthewalks.com/our-partners/. Several Vancouver Police Officers will have chalk in their vehicles to hand out, as well.

“Vancouver is a much more civilized and happier community these days, thanks in large part to the efforts of The Joy Team. With messaging from Chalk the Walks and on billboards, The Joy Team lightens the mood and reminds us of the beauty within ourselves and others,” said Mayor Tim Leavitt. “And very importantly, The Joy Team engages with our youth, reminding them of important values like respect, compassion and appreciation. It’s no surprise that the work of The Joy Team, which started here in our community, is spreading. We’re overjoyed!”

 Michele showing off this year’s Joy Team t-shirt, which was silk screened by our own Sara Moore’s new company SLK Custom Design.

Congratulations, Michele, and thank you for being such an awesome member of the ESD team and our community! We’ll be sure to share our ESD sidewalk art with her as she chalks downtown with The Joy Team in her happy yellow shirt.