Today, on World Smile Day - celebrated every year on the first Friday of October - we’re reminded of the power of simple kindness. This year’s theme, “Do an act of kindness. Help one person SMILE!”, encourages us all to take a moment to brighten someone’s day.
For World Smile Day 2025 we would like to feature a volunteer initiative that’s been quietly spreading warmth and smiles for years: Warm Trees.
🧣 What Happens After the Scarves Come Down?
You may remember seeing trees wrapped in vibrant, hand-crafted scarves during July and August. But have you ever wondered what happens to those scarves once the season changes?
Behind the scenes is a dedicated team of volunteers - knitters, crocheters, installers, dismantlers, washers, and repurposers - who ensure that every scarf continues its journey of warmth.
- Over 1,300 scarves were installed in 2025 - each one lovingly handmade.
- That’s 1.3 km of warmth, and over 4,500 hours of volunteer time just to create them!
- 18 volunteers attended workshops to craft the stunning displays, including 5 from the Korean community, this year’s partnering country.
- 17 volunteers worked across two days to install and later remove the scarves.
- 16 volunteers then washed and sorted the scarves.
- It takes 4 hours to transform scarves into a single wrap - and this year, we created 4 large bags of wraps for donation.
These wraps are donated to charities, supporting people in need with warmth. Some of the display pieces also find new homes in schools and embassies, continuing to share their message of connection and creativity.
💚 To every volunteer who knitted, crocheted, installed, washed, sorted, or stitched - thank you. You’ve turned yarn into warmth, and care into comfort.
Warm Trees is brought to you by the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra [link opens in a new window].
