COLUMBIA, MD — On a dreary rainy day, Columbia business owner Erin Cassell was headed to work from her home in Elkridge when she noticed something quite concerning. There were people standing in the pouring rain along Route 1 while waiting at bus stops.

"It really bothered me to see families and kids standing in the cold and bad weather, right next to the busy road," Cassell said. "It is hard enough to take public transport without having to deal with all that. I thought someone should do something."

So Cassell reached out to local transportation authorities, artists and property owners to pool their talents and help those who rely on the bus. Together they constructed a new bus shelter decorated with local artwork, colorful mosaic tiles, a pet rock and a native plant. They also installed a bench built with recycled materials.

"I hope that people will see it and realize the lack of safe shelters for those who ride public transportation. It's not something you think about if you don't have to ride a bus, but it is important for those who do," Cassell told Patch.

Cassell said the initiative has helped raise awareness about the issues. She gave a name to the movement, Safe and Beautiful Bus Stops, and hopes that more will be built along Route 1 at additional stops. Her project was funded by the Changemaker Challenge in Howard County.

On Nov. 11, the second Changemaker Challenge in Howard County will hold Shark Tank-style presentations from nine finalists before awarding four more grants totaling $60,000. Led by the Horizon Foundation and United Way of Central Maryland, 56 applicants submitted ideas for social change. The finalists are: