Volunteers gathered in Central Memorial Park on Saturday morning to handout winter gear to the homeless. The group also strategically placed hats and gloves in unusual locations to bring attention to the issue of homelessness in Calgary.
The scarf blitz, organized by Alberta Health Services staff, followed weeks of knitting and donation collection.
“There’s been a lot of generosity from the community,” said Krystle Lawson, a registered nurse with AHS. “A lot of different groups have been putting together knitting circles and most of (the scarves) are handmade.”
More than 30 volunteers offered mitts, hats and gloves to those in need and, with permission from the City, tied winter clothing to trees and light standards. According to Lawson, the unusual act has a dual purpose.
“It’s sort of an aesthetic reminder to Calgarians that there is this vulnerable population coming into winter,” said Lawson. “This is a way to show people in the city, to remind them, that there is this population of people that we forget about sometimes.”
Lawson encourages people in need of warm clothing to help themselves to the items.
“There’s no stigma attached to it, there’s no judgment,” said Lawson. “There’s notes on it saying please take it if they need it
Calgary’s scarf blitz follows similar events held in New York City, Halifax and Winnipeg.
