A local group is again hoping to bring people the simple comfort of being warm this season.

The third annual Gift of Warmth will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the the corner of Fourth Street and 9th Place Southwest, just atop Skinners Hill.

This drive is an attempt to get gently-used scarves, gloves, mittens and hats to those that need them.

The items, after being collected, are then hung from the fence above Skinners Hill, where those that need them can simply come by and pick up what they need, free of charge.

Last year, over a 1,000 pieces were collected and within a short period of time they were all gone. That was a jump from 200 in the group’s first year. Everything donated goes back to the community.

“The joy is overwhelming,” said Connie Adams, one of the groups’ leaders last year. “It’s hard to explain but the generosity makes your heart burst.”

Even though the collection period is near its end, there is still time as collections will run through Saturday at these locations: Arby’s, Austin Utilities, Cedar Valley Services, Family Eye Care, Freedom Christian Center, George’s Pizza, Golden Tress Salon and Day Spa, Greg Meyer-State Farm Insurance, International Paper, Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Austin, Mower County Employee’s Credit Union, SMART Transit and the YMCA.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/giftofwarmth1/