In honor of Domestic Violence Month, each year Middle Way House staff, volunteers and artists wrap downtown Bloomington trees in sweaters. The project idea is to “wrap the trees like we wrap survivors that come into the shelter,” said Erin Hollinden, Middle Way House Events Coordinator. “Each year we are getting more sweaters and they are getting more beautiful,” added Hollinden.
According to Hollinden, the project began in 2013 and was created by late Executive Director of the Middle Way House Toby Strout and Mary Ann Gingles, previously the business owner of the Yarn Unlimited, which is now closed. Each year artists are recruited through newspapers, Bloomington network and volunteers.
The tree sweaters help publicize the Middle Way House’s 24/7 Help & Crisis Line with signs on each tree and helps raise awareness for domestic violence.
On Oct. 4, 2019, after all the sweaters were wrapped around the trees, the Middle Way House staff, supporters, artists, tree sponsors and guests attended the Yarn-Cutting Celebration on the southeast corner of the Monroe County Courthouse to acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness month and to celebrate the opening of the Wrapped in Love project.
So far this year, the project has raised $20,500, which is $13,800 more than last year. Money raised will go towards the emergency shelter for survivors, 24/7 help crisis line, housing, legal advocacy, support groups, (childcare, educational programs for K-12 where they learn to build healthy relationships). This year each sweater raised between $200 to $5000 dollars for the cause, through local businesses, organizations or individuals.
This year, the Wrapped in Love project has 43 sweaters located across Bloomington, the sweaters will be displayed for five months and will be removed in March next year.
