As winter brings its icy storms, one group of women is helping people fight the cold by “scarf bombing” bus stops and neighborhood fences with scarves.
The Pennsylvania Scarf Bombardiers’ Facebook page is filled with pictures of warm crochet and knit items left outside for anyone in need.
Good Morning America reported that member Suzanne Volpe of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been “scarf bombing” for 10 years now. The 71-year-old retiree noted that she saw one of the group’s posts and got hooked.
She said, “I’ve always liked to crochet, and when you crochet or knit, at some point, all your friends have Afghans and scarves and you run out of people to give things to.”
“So I enjoy every bit of it. I enjoy crocheting. I enjoy getting together with people to make things, and I love, love, love putting them out, especially when you see the reaction of some people. They’re so appreciative,” she added.
“We collect scarves all year round and then we put tags on them so people know to take them.”
Volpe explained, “[The tags] tell people, ‘If you’re cold, take this.’ And then we try and pick areas where there’s a lot of foot traffic and where there might be need and we just go and tie them on the fences or poles or whatever seems appropriate. Bus shelters are really good, too.”
The Scarf Bombardiers place about 25 to 50 new scarves per outing, and Volpe noted that she makes about 400 scarves to help out each winter.
As the group continues to gain more members, it has also begun expanding to other cities.
Volpe said, “We do it all over the city of Pittsburgh and the suburbs. I’ve had other groups form because of some of the [media] coverage we’ve had. I have one in Blairsville … Kittanning [and] the Harrisburg one is still going strong.”
The Scarf Bombardiers take donations from all over the nation, and the items they share don’t have to be knit.
“All you have to do with fleece is you cut the fleece and then you just put fringes on the edges. It doesn’t need to be sewed. It doesn’t really unravel or anything. It’s ridiculously easy. Anyone can do it,” Volpe said.
Anyone wishing to contribute to these scarf bombings can send their donations to:
Scarf Bombardiers, 322 Mall Blvd., Box 185, Monroeville, PA 15146