For one day, trees around KC will give scarves, hats, gloves to people in need

For the past few weeks, some employees of MarksNelson Certified Public Accountants have been knitting up a storm in the lunchroom.

Including Nick Tinoco, a new knitter, who joined several women colleagues in making scarves and stocking caps that they’ll be tying to branches, light poles and fence posts around the metro.

“I couldn’t resist the email” asking for help, explained Tinoco, a new dad who hopes someday to knit with his daughter. “So on a family drive to Colorado over Thanksgiving, instead of sleeping in the back seat I was knitting away.”

The Kansas City accounting firm hatched “Wrapped in Warmth” last Christmas, when employees tied new scarves around trees at Washington Square Park. They wanted anyone who needed extra warmth that winter to take the accessories.

“This year our goal was to collect 800 items. And we hit 1,700,” said Kim Woirhaye-Reid, the company’s marketing specialist. “Maybe you’re a single mom with two jobs and aren’t technically homeless? If you see one of our scarves, go ahead and take it.”

Whether hand-knitted or store-bought, bundles of scarves, caps and gloves are overflowing in barrels and sacks at MarksNelson. Some items adorn a tree in the office.

Come Thursday, Dec. 21, the winter accessories will be hanging at several public locations for people in need to grab.

At least 150 of the items have been knitted by employees. Workers at Blue Ocean Consulting, Excel Constructors and DMC Service Inc. pitched in.

“It’s a lot more rewarding to be able to put in some time and give a little piece of you to someone else,” said Linda Freeman, who helped start the knitting group.

In addition to Washington Square Park, the items this year will be available for plucking in the West Bottoms, near City Union Mission and around the downtown public library. Each bundle will be tagged with a message: “The spirit of the season has found you. We hope this item keeps you wrapped in warmth all winter long.”

In 2016, several hundred winter accessories were taken within an hour.

MarksNelson will be accepting donations (no used items, please) through Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the company headquarters, 1310 E. 104th St.

Woirhaye-Reid said she also could pick up items. She can be reached at 816-743-7700.

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 7:00 AM with the headline "For one day, trees around KC will give scarves, hats, gloves to people in need."