Lively church spreads warmth with free scarves downtown

Sudbury's downtown was a little more colourful than usual Sunday afternoon thanks to a group of volunteers from Lively's Trinity United Church, who wrapped hand-knit scarves wherever they could find free public space.

The dedicated group of parishioners spread out 187 hand-made scarves throughout the downtown core, made available for anyone in need of a warm scarf to take home.

Each scarf had a small note attached that read: “This is for you! You found this gift we left for you. May you be wrapped with warmth and love.”

Kathy Dahmer, the pastor at Trinity United, said church members decided to give away scarves to the community to celebrate the United Church's 90th anniversary.

The original goal, she said, was to give away 90 hand-knit scarves, but once word of the project spread that number more than doubled.

“They started about six months ago, getting the word out and collecting wool,” Dahmer said. “They really wanted them to be hand-made. Something like your grandma would make for you.”

Dahmer said as many as 80 people knitted the colourful scarves they hung on park benches, street lamps, tree branches in Memorial Park, and anywhere else they could catch someone's eye.

It took around eight car loads to transport the scarves from the church, where they were blessed during the Sunday service.