It was another successful season for the Oxford-based Scarves 4 Cozy Kids program and it was one that brought warmth to children all over Oakland County during the winter months.

The program was launched by 11-year-old Oxford resident Alex VanHaren in December 2015, after he discovered there were children at his school that faced recess in the Michigan cold without appropriate winter wear.

Through the program, a box of scarves and other winter apparel is placed at local elementary schools and continuously refilled throughout the season.

If a child needs something warm to wear, they can choose articles of clothing from the box to use and keep.

“It just feels like I’ve been doing a good thing and that I’m making the world a better place one person at a time,” said Alex, an Oxford Elementary Student.

While the donation boxes were originally only found in elementary schools around Oxford, by December of 2016, the program had expanded to 17 different elementary schools throughout Lake Orion, Brandon, and North Branch.

As a result, over 1,000 scarves, hats, and gloves were collected and donated during the 2016 cold season.

Alex has also been donating the winter gear to eight different local charities, including Love in the Name of Christ of North Oakland (Love INC.), the Baldwin Center in Pontiac and Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac.

He said he is looking to expand the program to include other elementary schools in Oakland County next fall.

“I’ve never seen a child so mindful of other people,” said Alex’s mother, Nicole VanHaren. “Anytime someone visits, he needs to give them something. The world needs more people like Alex.”

According to Nicole, they are always seeking donations of new/excellent condition used hats, gloves and scarves; donations of yarn and other materials; along with monetary donations for the purchase of materials.

The program currently has approximately 15 active knitters, although the VanHarens are always looking for more people to knit, crochet, or sew winter gear to donate. All materials are provided to those who volunteer.

To learn more, or to donate, please visit facebook.com/scarves4cozykids or gofundme.com/scarves4cozykids.