Community urged to display ribbons

Two Northern Illinois University mothers from Carol Stream are urging their friends and neighbors to memorialize the victims of last week's shootings by placing red and black ribbons in front of their homes.

Judy Zika and Lisa Wisvader, both of whom have freshman students at NIU, have sent notes to area municipal and community groups asking for support in putting up the ribbons of the DeKalb university's colors throughout the town.

"We did see the kids downloading the (NIU) Husky logo with the black ribbon," Zika said. "But it's not a physical sign. The purpose is just to get the word out to people" that we're thinking of the victims.

At this point, just a handful of homes in town have put up the memorials, Zika said.

But the women are getting support from several people, including village Trustee Pamela Fenner, who urged residents to follow suit at a board meeting earlier this week.

"If anything, this effort sends a message of unity and helps with the healing process," Fenner said. "It lets the families with kids at the school know we're thinking about them."

For more information about the ribbon campaign, e-mail Zika at threeas@comcast.net.