As Christmas races through minds like an elf on steroids, Christmas lovers scurry through the Target parking lot camouflaged in a winter wonderland, feeling inhumanly remorseful for the man ringing the bell next to the Salvation Army kettle. Due to our own essential needs, many ignore the red kettle as if personal needs triumph the needs of those under us financially or otherwise. Busy schedules forbid the few seconds it takes to stop, accept and be thankful. As several let busy holiday schedules define them and bully them into an ungrateful state, numerous Revere students have gone to the North Pole and back to find a way to partake in the season of giving. Revere students senior Julie Mullet, senior Abbey Niemi, junior Shelby Kohmann, senior Zoey Orcutt, junior Ashley Oakley and sophomore Sarah Blake decided to participate in the season of giving in an alternative manner: knitting scarves.
When Niemi was seen excessively knitting at her Women’s Bible study, discussion broke out and the Revere students decided they could use their talent to warm the necks of the residents at The Village of St. Edwards Nursing Home. The advanced knitters of the group plan on not only teaching beginners the basics to knit with success, but they also plan on knitting a few scarves themselves.

Aside from personal goals, Niemi put expectations into place for the group as a whole. Although the nursing home is gracious for any contribution, the girls are striving for a total of fifty scarves according to Mullet. Mullet detailed her philosophy for the operation.
“We are [knitting scarves] just to spread a little love with others who may be alone during the holidays,” Mullet said.
Kohmann, who only has a couple months of knitting experience, revisited her reasons for partaking in this charitable exercise.
“[Knitting] is a way to connect people and bring them together. [It is similar to when] I used to go caroling at the nursing home by my house with my Girl Scout troop,” Kohmann said.
The pure joy of receiving is enough to get countless people through December. Some, however, need a dose of selflessness to feel worthy of the events that come with the holidays. Niemi expressed the feeling of satisfaction she receives from knitting.
“Knitting is something I love doing. When I’m able to create something that I can give away and know that it will benefit someone else, it just makes me so happy,” Niemi said.
Although a delivery date has yet to be set, the plan includes a day at the nursing home over Christmas break where the girls will partake in caroling and spreading joy. Orcutt elaborated on the course of action they plan to take while at the home.
“We do plan on personally delivering the scarves. We also plan on caroling while delivering the scarves,” Orcutt said.

This is the first year the students are partaking in this charitable act. All participants hope knitting for St. Edwards becomes an established holiday practice. According to Orcutt, knitting does not just bring people together, it also makes a substantial difference to the lonely population during the holidays. Orcutt expanded on the direction she wants this tradition to head.
“As [one of the] seniors of our group, we don’t have long until we will be leaving our bible study. We wanted to leave our mark and create a tradition for the girls remaining. We also wanted to incorporate giving into the tradition. We live in a great community, so naturally, we wanted to give back to the community in the form of this knitting project.,” Orcutt said.
Most of the girls involved have also cleared space in their holiday schedule to volunteer elsewhere. Kohmann expanded upon her volunteer experiences.
“I wrap gifts for Akron children in the foster system and sponsor children through the Shoebox Program,” Kohmann said.
Kohmann is not the only one who participates in these holiday feel-good rituals. While Niemi is busy caroling at every opportunity, Mullet is reminiscing about her childhood Santa Claus days. Mullet detailed her gig aboard the Polar Express.
“I help out with the Polar Express when I can. You dress up like an elf or reindeer or in some other Christmas outfit and wave at the kids as they go by on the train,” Mullet said.
If any girls are interested in participating, regardless of knitting capability, please contact Niemi or Mullet. The line dividing typical Christmas and the American Christmas experience causes a process of self-questioning that sends many into a state of stress. As Kohmann, Orcutt, Oakley, Blake, Mullet and Niemi sit in their Bible circle, they bond while using their talent to help the folks at St. Edwards. They plan to personally wrap the scarves around the elders’ necks to decrease the level of loneliness and increase holiday