Three local businesses have banded together to help warm the hearts, hands and heads of elementary school students in Macon County. A Stitch in Time, Kaylee’s Closet, and Silver Threads and Golden Needles are working together to collect and hand make hats and mittens for students who ride the school bus during the winter months. “Warmth on Wheels” was organized by Sheryl Burns, who recognized a need for these items amongst school children.
“These kids shouldn’t be standing or riding in the cold with nothing,” she said. “There is sadly such a need for this in our county, and we’re hoping to see more interest so we can continue this program.”
A group of volunteers have taken on the responsibility of providing handmade items. While donations of new hats and mittens are gladly accepted, they believe it means more to have as many items “made with love” as possible. Since the group started earlier this fall, they have made and collected more than 250 pairs of mittens and 200 hats. On Nov. 21, volunteers gathered in the back studio at A Stitch in Time to continue handcrafting donations, each double-knit using heavy yarn or fleece to ensure extra warmth.
“It’s amazing to see what we’ve been able to do, but this small group participating can’t keep up with the demand,” said Burns.
Members are asking the community for help providing these items to all elementary schools in Macon County. The group has been able to cover South Macon this month and will begin working with bus drivers at East Franklin next. Burns said they would love to be able to expand to Mountain View Intermediate and Macon Middle School in the future, and she is currently working local businesses to create more drop off locations. With enough interest, Burns believes this could be a year-round effort.
Baskets of knitwear are distributed to elementary school bus drivers – with 10 hats and pairs of mittens each – for students to pick out and take home in time for the colder weather. Christine Drake, who drives a bus for South Macon Elementary stopped by to pick up more hats and mittens for her students. She said other bus drivers have been swapping with each other to make sure students have the correct shapes and sizes, but as quickly as they receive the items, they run out.
“They’re all so appreciative,” she said. “Their little faces just light up.”
If you are interested in contributing to Warmth on Wheels, donations of new or finished hats and mittens are accepted and can be dropped off at the three participating businesses. A Stitch in Time is also offering free sewing kits and patterns for mittens. Donations of fleece and yarn are also needed and appreciated. For more information, contact Sheryl Burns at 404-428-0045.