GREENFIELD — Since its inception in 2017, a volunteer project that started as a membership of two has grown to a group of nearly 100.
“It gets bigger every year,” said Sandra Cross, founder of The Scarf Project, as she sorted through scarves, mittens and hats to hang throughout the Greenfield Common on Tuesday evening.
Thanks to the donations of dozens of volunteers, the Turners Falls resident collected 150 scarves, 178 hats, 103 pairs of socks, 230 pairs of mittens and gloves, and around 70 stuffed animals. On Tuesday, those items — all of which are free and available for anyone in the community to take — were displayed on the common by Cross, her daughter, Alicia, and two of her grandchildren.
“I made 80 of the scarves myself,” said Cross, who has been knitting since she was a child. “My goal is 100 per year. Some weeks (I knit) two; some weeks, one; and some weeks, none.”
While many of the items are handmade, members also donate stuffed animals, knitting materials or money. Some people, she added, contribute their moral support.
Cross credited her cousin Tina Blais with making many of the hats.
“The Sunderland Women’s Club donated,” she added. “I want to give them a shout-out.”
Her daughter, Alicia — who Cross started the club with four years ago — said she hopes in the upcoming year, her mother can teach a class on knitting to get even more volunteers involved.
“We have so much extra yarn, because people donate unknitted yarn,” the Greenfield resident said.
Donations are brought each holiday season to a collection box at Alicia Cross’ house at 37 Woodleigh Ave. in Greenfield. Financial donations can also be sent to the same address.
Sandra Cross said people often ask her if she’s worried the scarves will be taken by a “greedy” few.
“Once these things get on the common, they’re not mine anymore and I can’t worry about it,” she said. “I know what I’m doing and I know what I’m doing it for.”
And she doesn’t sell them, she added, “because that’s not The Scarf Project.”
“There was a time when I needed help, and people helped me,” Sandra Cross explained. “So as I got older, I wanted to be able to give back.”
Ultimately, she said, she feels good helping people.
“Prices are skyrocketing,” she noted. “I figure if somebody can come through here and grab a scarf, some mittens and a hat, maybe they can buy more presents for somebody, or they could actually have their Christmas dinner — something simple like that.”
To join The Scarf Project or for more information, visit bit.ly/3yrf0wB.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne