Last autumn, Paula Ross initiated a communal clothesline project in her hometown of Saint Andrews, and she continues to motivate others as a result.
Ross got
inspiration from a clothesline
That was placed at King’s Square in Saint John a few years back.
She took the concept home—hanging some hats and mittens outside the Anglican parish hall in Saint Andrews to assist her fellow community members in making it through the winter.
Word quickly spread.
“Seeing so many items removed from the clothesline and realizing just how much people have contributed makes this quite an emotional experience,” stated Ross.
She mentioned that what began as simple winter attire evolved into something more elaborate when someone chose to adorn the space with Christmas decorations for everyone else.
Afterward, the clothesline held knitted garments, sweatshirts, toothbrushes, scarves, hand towels, and many other items.
Prior to Easter, Ross chose to suspend several buckets, shovels, bottles of bubbles, bars of soap, toy cars, and dolls for the enjoyment of various families.
“And now it’s been transitioned to feature summer items,” she stated. “From sandals to sunglasses, to socks, toys—it includes everything.”
It’s incredible how one day something can be completely full and the following day it’s left only halfway filled.
Ross mentioned that All Saints Church takes care of the clothesline and provides an indoor coatrack for donations.
She mentioned that the website offers resealable bags as well as clothespins for individuals looking to make donations. Ross also keeps some of these supplies in a tote inside the trunk of her vehicle, she added.
She mentioned that you can hang anything on the clothesline that could fit inside a [bag], including hoodies.
She mentioned initially that she was told there wasn’t a requirement for such a project in Saint Andrews since the number of homeless individuals is low. However, she pointed out that numerous people within the community still require assistance.
Ross mentioned that she received numerous positive comments about keeping the clothesline out all year, so she plans to do just that as suggested by many.
She mentioned that the reaction since she began has been quite overwhelming, and she received contact from someone in Fredericton expressing their interest in starting an initiative there.
Ross mentioned she is assisting with setting up the clothesline for the woman, and it ought to be completed within the coming several weeks.
The mayor of Saint Andrews, Brad Henderson, assisted Ross in obtaining the location close to the church hall.
“I pass by it daily,” he explained. “That’s how I keep track of when things are removed and replaced.”
He mentioned that he had similarly hung a pair of mittens on the line, only for them to disappear the following week.
When Henderson heard about the new line coming to Fredericton, he felt a sense of pride.
He indicated how wise the concept proves to be.
