As the holiday season approaches, small towns around the country will be adorned with twinkly lights and festive ornaments. But one park in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been decorated with hundreds of scarves, hats and mittens that were handmade by volunteers in the community.
The annual giveaway, which started last year, was organized by Longmeadow Congregational Church in nearby Auburn, New Hampshire. Volunteers were asked to knit or crochet hats, scarves and mittens throughout the past year to help keep those in need warm during the winter. Last year, the group donated 75 items, but this year, more than 400 items were made.
The group hung the scarves and other goods in Manchester’s Veteran’s Memorial Park. Longmeadow Congregational Church’s Reverend Ruth Gallot told local TV station WCVB that the group specifically places the items in the park and not in thrift stores because they realize some in need may not necessarily go into stores looking for items.
Scarves are displayed with tags that read, “I was not forgotten here and neither are YOU! If you are stuck out in the cold, please take this scarf to keep yourself warm.”
Gallot told local TV station WMUR that her church was looking for ways to engage people in more ways than giving financial donations. She hopes the program will expand to churches around the country.
Those interested in participating can do anything from donating old yarn to knitting or crocheting some items.