LYNN — Obed and Maribel Matul knew exactly what they needed to do when friends working on the coronavirus front line shared their experiences with the Joyce Street sign makers.
“They said they’re stressed but they are strong. We started making signs for them last Thursday,” Obed Matul said.
Matul and his wife are selling their blue and white “thank you healthcare workers!” lawn signs for $25 or five for $100. They have also been donating the signs as a salute to friends working at Massachusetts General Hospital and other medical facilities.
“We want to thank them for all the work they do,” Matul said.
Starting on Thursday, they are expanding sign production to include signs acknowledging first responders, including police officers and firefighters, and they plan to design and manufacture signs saluting high school seniors.
“So many seniors this year aren’t going to be able to walk across the stage,” Obed Matul said.
The senior salute signs will be customized with the Class of 2020 member’s name and school and a message from proud family members.
In business since 2013 and Lynn residents for 20 years, the Matuls have been forced to change the way they work.
Facebook posts and text messages have replaced in-person transactions with customers.
“We’re trying to stay in business and think up creative ideas,” Matul said.
When coronavirus triggered school closings a month ago, Maribel Matul started printing at-home learning packets packed with lessons, coloring sheets and mathematics exercises for her nephews. She quickly expanded the packets into 50-page bundles, drawing on Lynn public school lessons plans, and gave them away free to parents.
“We thought we would do about 50 or 60 packets and ended preparing 543 before we ran out of paper,” Obed Matul said.
Full Color will print out packets for parents who can supply copy paper. The Matuls can be reached through their business Facebook page or by texting (781) 632-1270.
Although running a business is tougher during coronavirus, Matul said he is grateful for the work done by medical professionals and the first responders Full Color is saluting and he is happy to acknowledge area high school seniors.
