Tamaqua’s Depot Square Park is aflutter with dozens of handmade scarves and hats in addition to the traditional colorful holiday lights thanks to a group of dedicated knitters.

Members of the Walk In Art Center’s Fiber Arts Guild spent some time in the borough on Tuesday, placing the handmade items on the gazebo, benches and even some trees. Each crafted item comes complete with a tag explaining the items aren’t “lost,” but rather a community service project started in Lancaster.

Lorraine Felker, a Tamaqua resident and guild member, explained the group meets regularly at the art center, located in Schuylkill Haven, and became interested in Lancaster’s Wrap Up Project. The project was created in 2014 by crafter Angelia Reed, who noticed a need for warm clothing for the homeless and low-income residents. She was determined to “scarf bomb” Lancaster and enlisted the help of knitters, crocheters and weavers from throughout the city. The project continues to expand to other locations.

The Schuylkill Haven guild members learned of the project and agreed to take part. They are determined to scarf bomb as many Schuylkill County towns as possible between October and March 2019. Their first effort was in Schuylkill Haven in October. They “bombed” Pottsville in November and added Tamaqua in December.

On Tuesday, they covered Depot Square with 155 hats and scarves. Many of the items were handmade by local women, while others were donated by other Wrap Up Project members. Each is adorned with a tag stating, “I am not lost. If you’re stuck out in the cold, take this hand made item to keep warm!”

The project uses only handmade items as a way to let recipients know that someone cares.

In addition to providing warmth, they are designed to provide comfort and hope.

Felker said anyone who works with the fiber arts can become involved in the project by donating completed items, yarn or a monetary donation to help purchase the tags.

More information is available by emailing wiacfiberartsguild@gmail.com or the Wrap Up Project website at https://wrapupproject.org.