TEMPLE, TX — Dorenda Thomas is on a mission to spread love everywhere she goes.
She even put up a billboard in Temple displaying the word "love."
Thomas first heard of the billboard idea at a meditation retreat in California. She heard about a man named John Pogachar who did this in his hometown of Spokane, Washington while creating a project called "Love on Every Billboard."
Pogachar's story inspired Thomas to put up her own billboard on the northbound side of Interstate 35 off Sixth Street.
Thomas' was the 71st billboard in the Love on Every Billboard project across the United States. Some billboards have even began popping up internationally in countries like Russia, Ukraine and Canada.
"I hope they [drivers] get from it whatever it is they need. ya know, whatever it is they need I hope that's what they get from it," Thomas said.
People ask her all the time what love means to her, although it could mean many different things to other people she uses the simple dictionary definition.
"I've even looked it up in the dictionary and the dictionary says it's a deep affection and I don't usually go with dictionary meanings but I really like that," Thomas said.
The Love on Every Billboard project aims to make others smile, Thomas especially loves the project because it's not looking to sell anyone anything.
"It's just love," Thomas said.
She used her own money to purchase the billboard. Thomas says it's not about the amount spent but the difference she's making in others that drive by.
"It's magical, it's magical and I didn't see that I didn't predict that it was going to be so magical," Thomas said.
For more information about the project, or to add a billboard in your hometown, visit the Love on Every Billboard website.
