From left are Peggy Hutchinson, Pat Cowan, Tammy Marr, Suzi Calhoun, Sherry Deremer, Mitch Hellman, and Damie Nelson with some of the scraves created.  Marr and Deremer are members of the late Nancy Kailing's family.

Grant County CARES (Community Advocates for Respect, Equality and Safety), a coalition of community groups concerned about bullying, is inviting citizens of all ages to make a colorful, symbolic move to stem the tide of violence and bullying in our area.

Originally created by the general synod of the United Churches of Christ, the Rainbow Scarf Project was first proposed to Grant County CARES by Pastor Tyler Connoley and the late Nancy Kailing of the Silver City United Church of Christ as a way for local citizens to take a visible stand against bullying and violence in our communities, homes, and schools.

The rainbow is a well-known symbol of hope and human diversity. Children and adults who are bullied are often targeted because they are different. The Rainbow Scarf Project celebrates those differences and all the varieties of human expression.

The culmination of the project is in November when participants will wear their scarves on Nov. 20 during Bullying Awareness Week, Nov. 16-22 and again during the Lighted Christmas Parade Nov. 22 in downtown Silver City.

According to CARES, the rainbow scarves will serve as a conversation starter. People are starting to talk about all the forms of bullying, not just child to child, but also adult to child, and adult to adult. People in Grant County are becoming more aware of bullying in the workplace and in the home. These scarves are a catalyst for kindness and respect.

Hundreds of scarves need to be made the first year. However, this project can grow from year to year as more and more scarves are made and worn.

Drop-off locations include Yada Yada Yarn, Wild West Weaving, Walgreens Photo Dept., and the WNMU PIO Office (PE 243). Scarves need to be about 4-6 inches wide and about 60 inches long in a rainbow-style mix of colors in any pattern. If one doesn't knit, crochet, weave or sew, inexpensive packets of yarn may be purchased at Yada Yada Yarn, and then a "knitting angel" will make the scarf for the purchaser. Participants young and old can wear the scarf they create. In addition, scarves will be made available to those who sign a pledge against bullying and violence. The time and place to sign the pledge and receive a scarf will be announced in early November.

For more information, call Damie Nelson at 590-8797.