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Pay It Forward: Gloves, Hats, And Scarves Are Tied To Trees Across The Country For The Cold, Homeless Population

By Chrissie Williams
Published on: 06:14 PST, Nov 24, 2016

There is a new trend taking our country by storm, and it will warm your heart and restore your faith in humanity. Heart Eternal reported that thousands of people all across the country are tying scarves around the base of trees in parks, city roads, or neighborhoods. The reason they are doing this will melt your heart and send you into a panic looking for your own scarf to tie to a tree near you.

These scarves are generously left for homeless people who are exposed to the bitter cold each and every night. These warm scarves are free to anyone who needs them. The scarves are left with messages to the person in need, with the goal of bringing a smile to the homeless population.

“I’m not lost. Please take me with you if you are cold. Stay warm! God Bless.”

It all started in Pennsylvania last year when the temperature dipped well under zero degrees. The local weatherman issued a warning that people should avoid prolonged exposure to the bitter cold or face the possibility of getting frostbite. It prompted a small group of individuals to start tying scarves (with hats and gloves) to the trees in public areas for those in need. They attached a note to them so those in need would know they were free for them to take to stay warm.

The Daily Mail reported that the news of their random act of kindness spread fast, and soon, many other cities jumped at the opportunity to help their homeless population stay warm. Soon, the trend was seen all over the country, as people were posting images on social media of the scarves hanging in the trees with a visible note attached.

Many people stated on social media that they couldn’t imagine being homeless in this weather. The bitter cold was miserable, and they felt like the wind was cutting through their skin. The people who donated scarves hoped that the scarves helped keep the homeless population a little warmer.

Many of those who are in need, do not ask for the necessities in the winter. It can be hard to accept that you need help from people you do not know. People, even those who are homeless or unemployed, have pride and dignity and do not want to accept that they need help to provide themselves with a scarf, gloves, a hat, or a coat for the winter months. Leaving the scarf on the trees allows the person to grab it without being noticed.

“It’s hard to ask for something when you can’t provide for yourself – this way it’s just there for them,” a woman said on Facebook. “Not all shelters are open throughout the night so this way it’s there for them if they need it. It’s hard to believe something as simple as a hat or scarf was considered a luxury item, but for some people it really is.”

A few of those who donated scarves do it with more love and kindness than giving an old scarf to those in need. Elizabeth Sammons from Indiana knits the scarves with love in each stitch. She added that it feels good to be able to help those who are less fortunate than she. She knits each scarf she donates by hand.

“I think it’s a great thing to be able to do for the community,” Sammons explained. “There’s a lot of people behind it, a lot of support. It’s really nice.”

Nothing is better for the soul than to help someone who is less fortune than you. If you have a sweater, scarf, gloves, or hat in your closet, consider tying it to a tree in a public park or along a major street in your neighborhood to help keep the homeless population warm this holiday season.

Since the trend started, random acts of kindness in each state are pitching in and leaving scarves, hats, and gloves on trees for the 1.56 million homeless Americans this holiday season.

[Featured Image by Fairy Town Collection/Shutterstock]

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