Hats for the Homeless: Keeping NYC Warm
It's bad enough to be homeless, and not having warm clothes just adds injury to insult. That's why Hats for the Homeless provides warm knitted items to the homeless of New York City.
Think, for a moment, how cold you get in the winter. Then think about how much colder you'd be if you lived outside all the time. Then think about getting out your knitting needles and putting together a hat, a pair of mittens or socks, or a shawl for the Hats for the Homeless, which helps clothe homeless New Yorkers.
CLOTHING THE HOMELESS IN DIGNITY
John Carroll was a young man with a mission. Long before there was an organization called Hats for the Homeless, he'd gather a group a friends together during the holiday season, and they'd wander through America's largest city distributing gloves, scarves, and hats to the homeless.
John died in 1998, but his friends and family were determined not to let his generosity die with him. Instead, they founded Hats for the Homeless, then sat down and started knitting. At the end of the year, they handed out their treasures to homeless citizens at St. Francis Xavier's Soup Kitchen, on West 15th Street.
They've continued the tradition every year since. In time, other volunteers started to contribute their creations, and they began gathering new store-bought items too. In fact, brightly colored collection boxes have become a big part of the Hats for the Homeless tradition.
EASY TO KNIT, EASY TO GIVE
Most of the items Hats for the Homeless needs are easy to knit and don't require much yarn. Take hats, for example: a knitted cap might just use up that odd ball of yarn you've been wondering what to do with. A pair of mittens or a scarf won't take up much more.
And keep this in mind: the people who receive your items aren't likely to complain if there are a few dropped stitches, or if the color's not what they like. They want to keep warm, that's all. If someone happens to get picky, someone else will take what they won't. Sadly, there are far more homeless people than available items.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Although the charity focuses on the homeless of NYC, you don't have to live in or near New York to knit for Hats for the Homeless. Last year's contributors included folks from as far away as Indiana, Florida, and Alabama. For more information on how to get involved, go to the Hats for the Homeless website.
They most need knitted gloves, mittens, hats, shawls, scarves, and socks. Use whatever patterns strike your fancy.
While there are no limitations on the types of materials you use for your Hats for the Homeless items, it's best to knit with yarn that's machine washable, because the homeless rarely have the access to the facilities needed to hand-wash their clothing. Furthermore, darker colors are preferred, since they won't show soiling as easily as lighter hues.