NewsDenver7 | Everyday Hero

Actions

Denver7 Everyday Hero knits hats, spreads warmth to the needy

Posted at 7:45 AM, Oct 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-21 09:45:17-04

DENVER — Those who know Barbara Lambright will tell you there is one thing she rarely leaves home without.

"She is always with her loom. She takes it in the car with her, she takes it when she goes to visit somebody," said her sister, Sue Gardner. "On holidays, she will be sitting there making hats all day long."

That's exactly what she was doing when we caught up with her.

"You don’t have to be too talented to do this," Lambright joked.

Lambright is the founder of the Arvada Mad Hatters, a group of people dedicated to keeping the less fortunate warm during Colorado's colder months.

"We’re called the Mad Hatters because we make hats, all different kinds of hats, for the homeless or the low-income people, Title One, fire departments, all different charities," Lambright said.

For the past three years, Lambright and members of the Shrine of St. Anne Catholic Church have knitted thousands of hats for the needy.

"We just want them to know we care about them," she said.

The latest recipient of the group's generosity is Denver's Samaritan House Homeless Shelter - Catholic Charities, where people experiencing homelessness can shop for clothing and basic needs for free.

"For her to be able to put this donation together before the weather changes is going to give us the stock that we need to help the folks that are in need when they need it," said Robert Bigsby of Catholic Charities.

For the Samaritan House, donations are its lifeline. And for Lambright, it's a small show of gratitude for a life that's been full of blessings.

"We’ve always given back of our time talent and treasures, and this is a way of doing it," Lambright said.

Molly Hendrickson anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30-7 a.m. She also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on Denver7. Follow Molly on Facebook here and Twitter here. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.