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  • Warm-Up AZ

Warm-UP Arizona - Established 2014

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

Colleen Dougherty, Founder of Warm-Up Arizona, an annual drive for clothing & food for the homeless.

Warm-Up Arizona started 

with a simple idea I discovered 

on  Facebook and execute each December in Phoenix. 


I crochet scarves all year while relaxing in the evening. We tie them to poles so if someone is cold they can take one! 


December 2020 will be our

sixth year!

Notes displayed on each scarf

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

We display this note on each scarf: "This scarf is for anyone who may be cold. Please take it!"

We attach a note to each scarf that reads: 


"This scarf is for anyone who may be cold. Please take it!" 


The fact that it gets quite cold in Arizona in December may not be commonly known to folks who 

live out of state, but it gets chilly!

By crocheting the scarves myself, I'm able to make around thirty to hand out during the holidays! 

Donations appreciated!

Annual Winter Event for the homeless

Scarves made for the homeless

Backpacks are some of the items donated to Warm-Up Arizona to help us aid the homeless in Phoenix.

When word of what we're doing gets out, we sometimes get donations from corporations. We received over 50 backpacks from Wireless West and I used them for both our mission and to share. 

I was able to give some of the backpacks to Foster Arizona for teenagers aging out of foster care and starting out on their own. Contact me if you have leftover backpacks or other items from conventions and I'll make sure they go to good use! 

Scarves made for the homeless

Scarves made for the homeless

Scarves made for the homeless

Homemade scarves tied to trees and poles with a note advising they are for anyone who may be cold.

I'm not very good at crocheting and my scarves are simple, but I hope they help keep someone warm!

Sandwiches and Cookies

Scarves made for the homeless

Sandwiches and Cookies

We added sandwiches, fruit, drinks, and Christmas cookies to our Warm-Up Arizona drive in 2019.

Through the years we've added blankets, pillows, hygiene products, clothing, and jackets. Last year we added sandwiches, fruit, and cookies. We hope to grow each year.   

Family affair

Scarves made for the homeless

Sandwiches and Cookies

Dean leaving scarves for anyone who may be cold for the Warm-Up Arizona drive for the homeless.

My husband, Dean always encourages all my ideas! Here he is tying one of my scarves to a tree. 

Matt leaving scarves for anyone who may be cold with our Warm-Up Arizona drive for the homeless.

My son, Matt helps me get the scarves out on a cold night. 

Ryan helping with the scarves during our Warm-Up Arizona drive for the homeless in Phoenix.

My oldest son, Ryan, helping too. We've learned not to tie things to parking meters! 

Last scarf of the day for the Warm-Up Arizona drive for the homeless in Phoenix.

This is Dean on Christmas day, tying on the last scarf. That day we gave out 35 backpacks, 35 lunches and about 30 scarves. 

Copyright © 2020 Colleen Dougherty - All Rights Reserved.

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