Free scarves for people who are cold in the North Country

From http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/33163/20170103/free-scarves-federal-funds-efforts-big-and-small-help-the-north-country-s-needy

Nick Dubay with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Champlain Valley says the group has given out about 150 scarves so far. Photo: Zach Hirsch

Jan 03, 2017 — As it gets colder, more people in the North Country look to helping agencies for food and shelter.

In turn, those agencies are counting up their funding and support this time of year. Federal and state grants make a huge difference. Then there are really small, immediate things, like donated clothing. There are lots of efforts underway to help people in need this winter.

In Trinity Park, in downtown Plattsburgh, snowflakes were getting caught in Nick Dubay’s red, bushy beard. He was tying a scarf to a lamppost, and leaving it there for anybody who might want or need it. “It’s very simple, and it’s – if you need a scarf, take a scarf,” he said.

Dubay is with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Champlain Valley. They’ve given out about 150 scarves in this way, leaving them tied to benches and posts around the park.

Each one has a piece of paper attached, with the phone number for the local United Way. The scarves were donated by local businesses and people in the community.

“If you need one, take one. If you think you need three, four, five, take them. If you can take some scarves and then deliver them to someone who possibly needs them, absolutely do it,” Dubay said. “Sometimes you don’t have everything that you need.”

A message attached encourages people to call 211 for a list of available resources. The number connects to the United Way in Clinton County. Photo: Zach Hirsch