Individuals from Starlight Enterprises helped distribute warm winter items to people in need Wednesday during The Scarf Project's communitywide distribution. Pictured from left to right are Kelly McMullen, Christie Gardner and Rodney Fuller. (Photo by Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV)   

Tuscarawas County, Ohio - More than 850 residents will be a little warmer this winter thanks to the efforts of The Scarf Project.

Project volunteers spent Wednesday morning hanging scarves at various locations for people in need to pick up anonymously.

Project founder Toni Kaltenbaugh says project volunteers hung the scarves Wednesday morning at eight different locations in Tuscarawas County and one in Alliance. She says the scarves were hung in high traffic areas where people could pick them up conveniently and anonymously.

“The goal is to help people that need some help. there’s a whole segment of the population that needs help that won’t ask for it, and the scarves are an anonymous gift, I guess is what you could call it,” she says.

Starlight Enterprises was one of the locations for this year’s communitywide scarf distribution. CEO Cassie Elvin says clients helped hang scarves on the rod-iron fence at the organization's headquarters in New Philadelphia and helped monitor the site throughout the day. 

“Our individuals get to help the other volunteers hang the scarves, and then we actually do a rotation, and we go around to the other sites just to make sure the scarves are available for people or if anything has fallen off, we try to put them back up,” she says.

Elvin says Starlight became involved with the project as a way to give back to the community.

“One of the things that we have found as a small nonprofit ourselves is that helping people is very important, and this project, in and of itself, as we’re moving into the colder weather. It is such a neat project in and of itself,” she says.

They also wanted to support Kaltenbaugh, who serves on the organization’s board of directors. 

“She has taken on this venture personally and has recruited various different volunteers and is doing a fantastic job,” Elvin says. “They get all the donations of yarn and new scarfs and then they put them out, distribute them, throughout the community.” 

Elvin says the project is a great way opportunity for people with disabilities to get involved in the community. 

“It’s a neat project and it puts individuals with disabilities in touch also with other people who may be in more need or have a need for staying warm this winter.” 

Kaltenbaugh says she’s already gearing up for next year’s distribution and looking for help from the community. 

The project is made possible through the help of volunteers and the support of the community through donations. To get involved, call 330-432-1930. 

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV