Dozens of hand-knit scarves line tables inside Jefferson Elementary School in DeKalb. They're made by Deena Erwin, mother of Jefferson employee Kate Farris. Farris said her mom has made a habit of knitting the winter weather gear for elementary school children. (Photo provided by Jefferson Elementary School)

DeKALB - Kaki Johnson, mom of Jefferson Elementary School fifth grader Charlie, said her son came home from school this week adorned in a new hand-knitted scarf and gushed about the kindness of Deena Kerwin, the woman who made it.

Kerwin dropped off tables full of the handmade creations for the elementary school children this week, something her daughter, Jefferson third grade teacher Kate Farris, said she’s made a habit of. The handmade items are her mother’s way to help lift spirits during these COVID-19 pandemic times, Farris said.

It’s something Kerwin has done regularly over the years, which is great for someone like Charlie, who picks a burgundy colored scarf every year, his mom said.

“Charlie loves to be a part of the scarf picking because everyone is always excited to do it,” Johnson said Friday. “It’s an event he and his friends look forward to. They talk about the scarves for days! It means the world to him. His teachers at school talk about the importance of kindness. So Charlie sees this as an ultimate act of kindness.”

Thanks to Mrs. Farris’ mom for hand-knitting scarves for all of the students at Jefferson!

Farris said her mother’s not one for attention, and talked on her behalf, saying the winter weather wear is her mother’s way of giving back.

“My mom is an amazing woman, who has the attitude if you can help, then do,” Farris said. “My mother grew up with very little, but made much of herself when she grew up. She has never forgotten her own struggles with living without and has always given in many ways.”

The knitting started a few years ago, Farris said, when Kerwin made 52 adult scarves and 52 child-sized scarves for Hope Haven homeless shelter in DeKalb. She decided it’d be a nice idea to extend that act of giving to Jefferson Elementary, where her daughter works.

It’s become somewhat of annual tradition, which started about five years.

“Then when [COVID-19] hit, she simply had nothing to do so she thought she would do it again,” Farris said of her mom’s creative plans.

Jefferson Principal Melanie Bickley said folks such as Kerwin make a world of difference, especially in times like these.

“We have many kids who don’t have enough winter weather gear, but everyone gets to pick out a scarf,” Bickley said Friday. “It reminds them that we are a part of a larger community, and we all need to look out for one another. The kids take great pride in selecting a scarf that matches their style and personality, and many students wear them all day, every day throughout the winter.”

It’s a reminder that the DeKalb community is one that takes care of its neighbors, Bickley said, expressing her gratitude.

Charlie Johnson, a fifth grader at Jefferson Elementary School in DeKalb, poses Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 with his new hand-knitted scarf made by Deena Erwin, mother of Jefferson employee Kate Farris. Farris said her mom has made a habit of knitting the winter weather gear for elementary school children. (Photo provided by Kaki Johnson)

It’s a lesson that students like Charlie take home with them, mom Johnson said.

“Charlie is old enough to understand the impact of her generosity,” Johnson said. “He is in awe that they are hand-knitted and appreciates the time it takes for her to do it. He said Jefferson students are very lucky to have someone who cares about the whole school.”

An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled Deena Kerwin’s name. It has since been corrected.

Copyright © 2022 Shaw Local News Network

Copyright © 2022 Shaw Local News Network