Group knits winter items for the homeless

ELKHART, Ind. - 

With the season of giving just around the corner, one group in Elkhart decided to get a head start.

A group of women spent hundreds of hours knitting hats, gloves, scarves and even blankets for the homeless. The handiwork was then used to adorn a tree in downtown Elkhart called the giving tree. 

A hat, scarf and gloves were put into bags and hung on the tree around 7 a.m. Sunday. The women also placed some blankets near the base of the tree.

It didn’t take long for people to come grab a bag.

“We always say take what you need and leave some for somebody else,” said Tammy Killian, a member of the knitting group.

The group is made up of women from the Elkhart community. Many of them attend the same church. They've been doing this project for about three years, meeting twice a month to knit together.

The group says it's a way for them to use their skills to give back to those in need, and the giving tree is the perfect way to distribute the items.

"We feel it makes a statement that we have hope in Elkhart and we want to bring hope to others,” said Killian. “This is a very busy road, and a lot of homeless live close by here in different parks so we know it's in an area where they'll see it."

Killian says they go through a lot of yarn doing to make the items and are always grateful for donations of yarn. To donate, contact Calvary Assembly of God Church at 1010 E Mishawaka Road in Elkhart. 

The group is also open to anyone who would like to join, The women will even instruct newcomers how to knit and help the homeless stay a little warmer through the winter.