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Good Samaritans leave scarves out for the homeless in Canadian, U.S. cities

Winnipeg, Man. (Chase the Chill Winnipeg/Facebook)

Baby, it’s cold outside.

Some good Samaritans are helping warm the homeless (and scarf-less) this winter by leaving scarves and hats wrapped around poles, fire hydrants and lamp posts in chilly cities across North America.

A Redditor spotted a scarf wrapped around a fire hydrant in Wilmington, North Carolina with the following note attached:

“I AM NOT LOST! If you need this to stay warm, then please take it. It is yours. Be warm, and do something to help someone else today if you can.”

Scarves in the Port City, a group dedicated to serving the homeless and promoting kindness and services in the community, is apparently responsible for the warm gesture. According to the Facebook page, the group plans on doing another scarf-distribution later this month.

In early December, a teenage soccer team in Spokane, Washington, made about 300 scarves for the homeless and draped them over the iconic Bloomsday runner statues in Riverfront Park with notes that read: “I’m not lost. If you are cold, I’m yours. I was made for you to take.”

"There’s a lot of good people here and I’ve seen a lot of bad things happen, and yet I see a lot of good people that care," Ed, a homeless man who took one of the scarves, said of the teens’ random act of kindness.

In Edmonton, Alberta, someone spotted a hand-knit scarf wrapped around a parking meter:

“TAKE THIS SCARF…if you’re cold…or if you need it.”

Responsible for the generosity: Chase the Chill in Edmonton, a group of knitters inspired to yarn-bomb their community “with a cause.”

According to Metro Edmonton, the group put out 250 scarves on the streets for anyone who wanted them.

“It gets right to the people who want it,” said Wendy Grahl, the group’s founder. “If you’re homeless and it’s 30 below a scarf is going to be welcome.”

Grahl was inspired by Chase the Chill in Winnipeg, a group that’s been doing the same for a few years.

Chase the Chill in Calgary has also recently launched.

Welcome aboard! Warming Canada one community at a time!” the Chase the Chill in Winnipeg Facebook group posted.

The original Chase the Chill launched in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 2010.

Here’s how to start a “Chase the Chill” in your community.