We have our Narcan boxes, our free libraries and good Karma boxes, but what about large scale scarf bombing?
In cities across the U.S. and Canada, people are donating scarves, some of them handmade by crochet enthusiasts, and placing these along easily accessed areas, on railings, benches, utility poles, traffic lights and fences. An extra twist is attaching friendly notes for those who could use positive energy as well as warmth during colder stretches of weather.
Ten years ago, anonymous yarn bombers in Canada’s capital Ottawa got attention for this trend, which has since been imitated elsewhere.
Some cities like Jacksonville even have Facebook groups devoted to the cause. In their case it’s called Scarf Bomb Jax. Their main photo has a scarf with a note saying: “I am not Lost! If you’re stuck out in the cold, take this scarf to keep warm.”
In the Pittsburgh area, the group is called Scarf Bombardiers.
Groups such as The Wrap Up Project also in Pennsylvania have gatherings for scarf bombing, tagging and making scarves.
In the Twin Cities, the local group behind scarf bombing is called One Good Deed, and even has a board of directors.
“One Good Deed volunteers go out to two Twin Cities parks and leave items out in the open for anyone in need. This event grows in numbers and reach every year and has become the signature event of One Good Deed,” its website indicates.
With the trend picking up, gloves and other warm clothes are now also added to scarves being wrapped around public fences and railings.
What say you Reno?