Here’s how an ‘incredible outpouring’ is helping adults and children stay warm in Whatcom
Jan Baughn has been crocheting hats as part of Project Warm-Up for at least 15 years, volunteering her time to turn yarn into something cozy for strangers in need.
But it wasn’t until last year that she had a chance to see the faces of some of the people who benefited from her kindness.
“I was thrilled to see how they were very much appreciated,” the 70-year-old Bellingham resident said of her hats.
Baughn has knit more than 100 hats this year.
“They can’t believe someone would donate their time and materials to make hats for somebody they don’t know,” she told The Bellingham Herald of people’s reactions.
No one knows exactly when Project Warm-Up started here. Ronalee Kincaid, a knitter and volunteer overseeing the program, estimates it’s been around for at least 20 years.
It was part of the Whatcom Volunteer Center until 2013 when Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County took the program under its wings.
These days volunteers throughout Whatcom County, crochet or knit, mainly knit, some 1,500 hats and scarves a year. Many of them turn in their creations anonymously.
“It’s an amazing program, kind of self-propelling,” said Kincaid, a 75-year-old Bellingham resident.
Most of the hats and scarves are distributed during Interfaith Coalition’s annual Winter Warmth Drive, also known as a coat drive, in fall for men, women and children. Some also go out during Interfaith’s Kids Need Books program and food banks at Christ the King Community Church and Alderwood Elementary School.
There are hats for adults and for kids, plain ones and pretty, fancy ones, Kincaid said of what she called an “incredible outpouring” from volunteers.
“The people who receive the hats are just always delighted. They pick out the ones that match their coats,” Kincaid said of people at the annual coat drive.
Kincaid and Baughn said volunteers make hats and scarves year-round.
“Boy, it gets expensive when you think about making a hundred hats,” said Baughn, who goes to garage or estate sales and asks organizers to donate unsold yarn.
She and others also use yarn donated to Project Warm-Up.
Kincaid said yarn donations are accepted with great gratitude, including yarn stashes that people have hanging around or inherit. Those are given to the volunteers.
“It’s like Rumpelstiltskin,” Kincaid said, referring to the fairy tale in which a miller said his daughter could spin straw into gold. “They turn yarn into hats.”
Got yarn?
If you’ve got wool or acrylic yarn that you’d like to donate to Project Warm-Up, take it to Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County’s office at St. James Presbyterian Church, 910 14th St. in Bellingham.
Office hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday but call ahead to confirm.
Details: interfaith-coalition.org, info@interfaith-coalition.org or 360-734-3983.
