Keeping warm during winter can be challenging, especially if you live on the street in Rogue Valley. One local artist, Dianne Ames, offers some relief. With spirited prayers and loving intentions, Dianne puts her crafting skills to work through the creation of hand-crocheted woolen hats, distributed to unhoused people in the community. (maybe include info about where here?)
“When possible, homeless people are invited to choose the one hat that grabs their attention,” said Ms. Ames, the woman behind the Hats for Homeless project. “My hope is that the hat will become their ‘snuggle buddy’ during cold, lonely winter days and nights.”
For the past seven years, Dianne has given her hats away to those in need, and this year is no exception. This week, Ms. Ames is dropping off 30 hats and 40 ear warmers to OHRA’s resource center to be distributed to people enduring freezing temperatures outside. She hopes to complete another 30 by Christmas for a total of 100.
“We cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that we can do,” quoted Ms. Ames in a core message sent to the community.
“Please be kind and be helpful. Thoughts and prayers are nice but they are not enough. Do something practical to make life a little less difficult for your neighbor,” she continued. “You will benefit, and your heart will be happy. Think about it. When you stroke a cat, who purrs louder?”
In an effort to model the Pay it Forward concept to the community, Dianne produces high quality hats with interwoven materials to optimize the “snuggle factor” in what she hopes can be a “talisman of comfort” for unhoused people. All the while, she deals with chronic pain and is herself lacking access to an affordable rental in Ashland.
** To contact Dianne Ames directly, or learn more the Hats for Homeless project, please email info@peacehouse.net and we will forward your message.
