Trees in Dry Creek Park sprouted some interesting growth in early December: waterproof bags filled with warm scarves, toques, mitts, rain ponchos and a small snack.
The items were part of Fresh Steps’ Ability House’s second annual Wrapped in Love project, spearheaded by Fresh Steps’ Janis Joseph.
“We are a community in need,” she said. “We live a comfortable life...I want to teach (my kids) there are more vulnerable people out there than us.”
Last year she and a group of volunteers put similar bags on fences and other places along Third Avenue. “This year we focused on areas we knew vulnerable people are living,” Joseph said.
(Story continues below)
Items were divided between women’s, men’s and children’s items and put in waterproof ziplocked bags. Walk the Coast donated a number of rain ponchos. Volunteers left them in spots where they would be accessible to people who might need them.
Joseph is accepting donations throughout the year for her Wrapped in Love project. “Even now, people can go through what their kids aren’t fitting,” she said.
Joseph will keep her Facebook page up (Fresh Steps’ 2nd Annual Wrapped in Love) and people are welcome to drop items off at Ability House during the day.