Along state Route 14, between Washingtonville and Salem, motorists may notice a message from Jesus.
Literally.
The Merry Christmas Billboard Ladies- Joanne Brown of Poland, Pat See of Canfield, Linda Bennett of Niles and Judi Hanna of Boardman- have purchased several billboards in Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull and Hamilton counties, as well as in Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas, which proclaim the right to say "Merry Christmas."
The bold, red boards with white block lettering, signed Jesus, are in response to the seemingly overwhelming use of the politically correct term "Happy Holidays," according to Brown.
"I feel God has been taken out of the season," she said. "People have been conditioned to say Happy Holidays. It's Christmas, so why not just say Christmas."
The group started in 2007 and has since gained national exposure, having been featured three times on FoxNEWS' Fox & Friends in New York City.
And it has carried its message into its third year with the help of like-minded individuals all over the country.
"We didn't even have enough money for one billboard the first year," Brown noted.
Through donations, though, the group was able to purchase four billboards, which cost a minimum of $1,000, in two counties, Brown said.
This year the group is putting up 10 billboards, possibly more depending on donations.
"This is an awareness campaign to remind people it's the birth of Jesus we're celebrating," See said.
The movement is not out of spite, though, Bennett assured.
"The message of Jesus is that of love and love thy neighbor," she said. "We're not doing this out of bitterness; we can't share the message of love that way."
Of course, change will not be immediate, Bennett added.
"Change will come a little bit at a time," Bennett said. "It changed a little bit at a time, so it won't change back overnight. But if everybody wishes one other person a Merry Christmas, we can change one by one."
Those wishing to make a non tax-deductible donation to the Merry Christmas Billboard Ladies may send checks to Merry Christmas Billboards, P. O. Box 175, Niles Ohio 44446.
For information on the group and its message, visit www.merrychristmasbb.com or e-mail merrychristmasbb1225@yahoo.com.
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
