New Initiative Keeps Kids Warm, Encourages Them To Play Outside

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

December 15, 2021

Weekly throughout the winter, hand knitted hats, mittens and scarves, created by local seniors, will be placed in outdoor bookshelves throughout the city to keep children warm as they play outside.

The initiative, intended to encourage children to play outside, is a collaborative effort between the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance, Bristol School Readiness Health Committee, Bristol Senior Center and the Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department.

Each week, the "Making Bristol Better" Facebook page will feature a Park "Rec N Read" or "Appetite for Reading" shelf. Volunteers with “Appetite for Reading” then stock these shelves with the knitted items. Families are encouraged to follow the page to learn where they can pick up free winter hats, mittens or scarves for their children.

A statement from the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance and the Bristol School Readiness Health Committee state that, according to many experts, obesity rates are increasing in Bristol. This initiative is intended to help address that concern.

"According to many experts, children are staying indoors and spending too much time on electronic devices and not enough time playing outdoors 'being kids,'" said Cathy Plourde, chair of The Bristol School Readiness Council and Bristol Early Childhood Alliance Health Committee.

Plourde said she hopes that this project will "inspire kids to get outside more with their families" and to frequent local parks throughout the year.

"Inspiring children to be more physically active at a young age will have an impact on their future health," she said.

The Bristol Senior Center, located at 240 Stafford Ave., is also collecting donations of handmade items to help with this project. Those who would like to knit or crochet hats, scarves and mittens can drop these items off in a collection box at the Senior Center.

Donna Koser, of United Way of West Central Connecticut, said that the program has already seen a good response, with families taking about 20 of the knitted hats in the first week.

Lauren Kittle, parent and child center program coordinator with the Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department, said that it was “wonderful” to see the strong response so far.

“That’s our role – giving kids healthy and fulfilling activities to do outside and in a safe way,” she said. “We’re excited to be a part of this.”

For more information on the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance and the Bristol School Readiness Health Committee, people can call Donna Koser of United Way of West Central Connecticut at 860-582-9559, EXT. 400 or email her at dkoser@uwwestcentralct.org.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.