If you walk through some of the towns and cities across the United States, you may walk up on a fence, or a line hung between trees, covered with scarves, hats and gloves.

The origins of the cold-weather gear was a mystery at first. Nearly a decade ago, they first started appearing in Ottawa, Canada. Fourteen scarves wrapped around famous statues. Each handmade with a note that said: “I am not lost! If you are stuck out in the cold, take this scarf to keep warm.” It turns out that a few local college students wanted to help those who might not have enough to stay warm.

Their good deed went viral, and now is known as “scarf bombing” and has taken its hold across not just Canada, but here in the United States, as well. The scarves are often tied around fences, benches and railings, and intended to support the homeless in the communities.

“Most of us are doing it because that one person did,” said Michelle Chance-Sangthong, who saw the Ottawa story and decided to start scarf bombing in Jacksonville, Fla. She created Scarf Bomb Jax, a Facebook group that has dozens of volunteers ranging from teenagers to seniors in their 80s. People assume that while winters are milder, that Florida doesn’t have cold weather, Chance-Sangthong said.

It is a misconception that it’s not cold here,” she said. “If you’re sleeping outside, it is.”

Chance-Sangthong and volunteers regularly do scarf bombs. They also leave out hats, gloves, jackets and blankets. Most items are handmade. So far this season they have donated more than 1,600 pieces to those in need. “I am still blown away and amazed by all the work people put into making this possible,” Chance-Sangthong said.

Scarf bomb groups typically tag every item. Photo by Scarf Bomb Jax

Pittsburgh resident Suzanne Volpe felt the same way. “I saw a Facebook post. One of my friends tagged me and said, ‘Hey, look, somebody’s doing this.’ And they were putting scarves on trees,” she said. “I have a friend in Connecticut who jumped on it and did it and called it a scarf bomb and I said, ‘Oh, somebody should do that here.’ She said, ‘Well, you’re somebody.’ I was like, ‘Well, yeah, I guess I am.’ And that’s how it started.”

Creating a group called Scarf Bombardiers, Volpe and the more than 1,700 members crochet and knit, with 20 regular crocheters working year-round. The group uses mostly donated yarn, and leave tags on their projects that read, “Cold? Take this.”

Suzanne Volpe performs a scarf bombing in Pittsburgh. Photo by Scarf Bombardiers

“I try to put them where there’s foot traffic,” Volpe said, adding that the scarves are often gone in less than 24 hours. She estimates she makes around 400 crocheted scarves each winter, as well as tons of fleece scarves. “All you have to do with fleece is you cut the fleece and then you just put fringes on the edges. It doesn’t need to be sewed. It doesn’t really unravel or anything,” she said.

It’s ridiculously easy. Anyone can do it,” she said.

Volpe said she plans to keep scarf bombing for the foreseeable future and “absolutely” recommends scarf bombing to anyone else who may be interested. “The other thing that’s kind of nice is I have different volunteers. Some people just make. Some people can’t make so they go out and put them out. So there’s something for everybody. I think everybody can contribute something,” Volpe said. “I’m sure we’re not done with winter yet,” she added.

Watch below for a look at these winter wonders!

Sources: Good Morning America | Washington Post