Woman Shares The Gift Of Warmth With Tulsa's Homeless

The arctic blast has many reaching for scarves, gloves and stocking caps.

But there are hundreds of homeless in Tulsa who can't afford those things, but one woman has come up with a special way to help bring warmth to the homeless.

If you see a scarf wrapped around a light pole or tree, you can bet it's part of the Winter Warmth for Homeless movement.

The light poles around Tulsa are wrapped up like presents, and what's hanging from them are exactly that.

"My hope is this will become an annual thing at least," said Janice Sizemore, Winter Warmth for the Homeless organizer. 

Sizemore came up with the idea of Winter Warmth for the Homeless after seeing something similar in another city.

"I thought, 'wow, what a cool idea. We could do that in Tulsa," Sizemore said. 

So, she started raising money and buying scarves, gloves and stocking caps.

"There are complete families on the street," she said. 

Then wrapping them around city light poles and trees for the homeless.

And each set has a special note to go along with it. 

"If you're cold, please take this to stay warm," the notes read. 

Students from Sapulpa's Jefferson Heights Elementary made the notes. Jefferson Heights is where Sizemore's granddaughter goes to school. 

"It's very important not only for myself, but for the younger generation, to plant a seed in them to learn to give back and to be thankful for what we have," Sizemore said. 

The Homeless Management Information System shows there are 6,000 to 7,000 homeless people in Tulsa every year.

"It breaks your heart," Sizemore said. 

Which is why this mission means so much to Sizemore, to warm bodies.

"There is love in this world," Sizemore said. 

And hearts this Christmas.

"I can't even imagine not having a home," Sizemore said. 

It's a small way to make a big difference. 

Each of the winter items are bought new and the tags are left on them so folks know they've never been worn.

Donations may be dropped off at God's Shining Light Church, located at 9897 E 11th Street in Tulsa. Online Donations may be made here.