Agnes Ross, 97, and her daughter, Jan Ross, knit scarves for the Warm the Children charity in their Erving home. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Agnes Ross, 97, knits scarves for the Warm the Children charity in her Erving home. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Agnes Ross, 97, and her daughter, Jan Ross, knit scarves for the Warm the Children charity in their Erving home. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

ERVING — At 97 years old, Erving resident Agnes Ross collaborated with her daughter, Jan Ross, to knit and crochet 60 brightly colored scarves for this year’s Warm the Children clothing charity.

Their work, which took about a year to complete, continues a tradition of service that first benefited the Greenfield Community College Food Pantry. Jan, assistant to the dean of humanities at the college, said they knitted scarves for the pantry until it stopped operating after eight years.

The duo then shifted its focus to Warm the Children after Jan saw an ad. This year’s donation is their second annual contribution.

Agnes said she’s been knitting “for years and years” as a way to feel of service to her community.

“I started by doing it way back in my church when I was young,” she said, noting she enjoys helping people in need.

Warm the Children, which is overseen by the Greenfield Recorder, has provided warm clothing for families in need across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region for more than three decades. The fundraiser has grown to provide new coats and clothes to about 900 children each year.

Jan, who handled all of the crocheting, said she does so as a relaxing hobby “all year long.”

“It’s just fun to do in the evening, and nice to know that somebody will be nice and warm,” she explained. “I can sit on the deck in the evenings and talk with the birds. It’s just so easy.”

Jan said she enjoys seeking out the softest and brightest yarn possible, often searching at local craft fairs for the best materials. She ensures that all her scarves are machine washable, acknowledging the target audience.

“I just think, ‘What would my grandkids want?’” she said. “Kids can play tug-of-war. Give it a wash and it’ll bounce right back into shape.”

Jan stressed that although she’s wrapped up this season’s donations, she’s not ready to put down her crocheting needles. After packing a container full of scarves, she picked them right back up again.

“I’d just put the big plastic tub downstairs and I already started one for next year,” she said.

Agnes said she hopes those who receive the scarves “pay it forward” by doing good things for others.

“If everybody just did a little something,” Jan said, “what a wonderful world we’d have.”

To send a tax-deductible donation, checks made out to “Warm the Children” can be mailed to the Greenfield Recorder, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA 01301.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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