Stow Arts Commission sets timeline for Warm Up America drive, schedules kit-packing session

At its recent meeting, the Stow Arts Commission reviewed plans for the Warm Up America community blanket project and set a schedule aimed at getting kits into the community and finished squares returned for a December display.

Commission members said last year volunteers returned roughly 1,600–1,800 knit or crocheted squares; the commission set a working target of about 1,800 for this year. Staff and commissioners discussed distribution points, pickup and drop‑off windows, marketing timelines and volunteer logistics so the assembled project can be installed in December.

The commission agreed the first batch of kits would be available at City Hall beginning Wednesday, September 17, at 9 a.m. Members set a target return deadline for completed squares of November 7 so volunteers would have time to assemble sections ahead of the community unveiling the first week of December. Commissioners discussed City Hall and the farmers' market as primary collection points; members noted a local business previously used for drop‑offs is relocating, so City Hall should serve as the primary collection site and the farmers' market and select outreach events would be used to distribute and collect additional kits.

Staff said the parks and city newsletters have fixed publication windows — the city e‑newsletter posts at the start of the month and the parks newsletter around the 15th — and recommended working those deadlines into the marketing schedule so promotion reaches residents in time. Staff also said they would source yarn and hooks and circulate vendor links for commission review before procurement.

Commissioners agreed to schedule a volunteer packing session to assemble kits once materials arrive. They selected the evening of the 16th of next month at 6:30 p.m. for that work session and said they would confirm whether supplies arrive in time. Staff agreed to check supply lead times and email links to proposed vendors so the group can finalize a kit list and print materials.

Members discussed outreach to assisted‑living facilities, the library's programs, the senior center and the bookmobile as places to leave a small number of kits and to reach residents who may not attend farmers'‑market events. The commission also noted social media and the city newsletters as the primary channels for public reminders to return squares.

The commission said final installation historically takes a short amount of volunteer time once squares are received; organizers said previous installations required only a couple of sessions. Volunteers and staff will confirm final assembly dates once return totals are known.

Funding and supplies: members said the commission will submit a budget request for yarn, hooks, printed cards and marketing materials if needed; staff asked commissioners to collect links to preferred vendors to speed procurement. A staff member noted that some crochet hooks and tools were returned last year and could be reused.

Planning for next year: commissioners said they will preserve the process as a template and review timing after this season's event to decide whether to begin the campaign earlier in the year next time.