INVEST ELYRIA WARMS UP THE CITY

Clothes donated and given to the needy at annual event

Coats, scarves, hats and gloves filled Ely Square, 100 Middle Ave., on Feb. 20 for the annual Warm Up Elyria event.

Warm Up Elyria is put on by Invest Elyria and the Elyria Hookers, a crocheting and knitting group.

All items contained a note saying, “I’m not lost. If you need this to stay warm, please take it. Be warm and do something to help someone else today.”

This is the third year for Warm Up Elyria and it has been a success every year,said Elyria Hookers member Elizabeth Doyle.

“Last year, we had over 400 items,” Doyle said. “And this year, we have over 700 items.

“It is nice to see how it continues to grow each year.”

All items either were donated or handmade, Doyle said.

The purpose of the warming event is to help those in need in Elyria, said Bobbie Sears, a member of Invest Elyria.

“Not only are we helping keep people warm, but we are warming the hearts of people,” Sears said. “People need our

“not only are we helping keep people warm, but we are warming the hearts of people.”

— Bobbie Sears, a member of Invest Elyria

help and we are here to help.”

Doyle added that sometimes people only focus on the bad in Elyria instead of the good things people are doing.

“This also shows the community together,” she said. “There are people in the city that are willing to help.”

Maggie Fenderson, of Elyria, benefitted from the Warm Up event.

“I got a jacket and it is truly a beautiful thing to see people giving back to the people of Elyria,” Fenderson

said. “There are items that appeal to everyone in need.”

The items will be available until Feb. 23 for everyone to take advantage of.

Sears said she will monitor Ely Square daily to check on the items.

Any left over items will be donated to local churches, Doyle said.

ERIC BONZAR —THE MORNING JOURNAL Six-year-old Evelyn Summers, of Elyria Girl Scouts Daisy Troop 50933, places packaged garments throughout Ely Square, 100 Middle Ave., as part of Invest Elyria’s third annual Warm Up Elyria event Feb. 20.

ERIC BONZAR —THE MORNING JOURNAL Eleven-year-old Lizzy Summers, of Elyria, places packaged garments on the ledge of the Elyria Veterans’ Memorial in Ely Square, 100 Middle Ave. in Elyria, on Feb. 20.