2nd annual 'scarf day' in Tillsonburg
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The sun was still low in the sky Saturday morning when the scarves, mitts, toques, and winter coats started appearing in front of The Town Centre on Broadway.
It wasn't long before there were hundreds of items – more than 200 in total – some grouped together in combinations, each with a note attached reading, 'If you are cold, Take me down, Take me home, To keep you warm!'
"I'm amazed at the generosity," said Sue Berlet, who volunteered to help distribute donated scarves, toques, gloves and coats for the Facebook group Talk Tillsonburg's second annual 'Scarf Bombing' Saturday morning at 8 a.m. in Tillsonburg.
"For all ages, too," said Berlet. "This year we've even got baby stuff – this is a bonnet."
"I think we could use more men's wear," noted volunteer Barb Kenn, just returned with a hot coffee.
Nicole Tait and eight-year-old Caden Montgomery also helped Saturday morning.
"I just wanted to do it, and me and Kathryn (Ryan) started talking because she did it last year," said Tait. "We worked on it together.
"We depend on the food bank sometimes, so when we can give back it's nice."
"How do you tie this?" Caden asked, trying to attach one of the last mitt/hat combos to the railing around the Cenotaph. "Can you help me?"
"I can help," Nicole nodded.
Some items were homemade, some store purchased.
"A girl, Melanie, she made all these and donated them," said Tait, noting several stylish hats for kids in their shopping cart. "She's fantastic."
Remaining items of winter clothing not put up in front of the mall were spread across the street at Library Lane.
"We do have some more to put up at the library," said Kenn.
They did not expect them to be around all day.
"Kathryn said they went before noon," said Berlet. "I think after we leave people will start taking them."
"There seems to be a need," nodded Kenn, who also volunteers at the Helping Hand Food Bank. "I think people are getting the idea."