Community clothesline in Saint Andrews inspiring others in New Brunswick

Paula Ross started a community clothesline in her hometown of Saint Andrews last fall, and she is now inspiring others.

Ross got inspiration from a clothesline that someone put across King's Square in Saint John a few years ago.

She then brought the idea home — hanging some hats and mittens in front of the Anglican parish hall in Saint Andrews to help her community members get through the winter.

Word quickly spread.

"It has been very emotional, seeing how much has been taken off the clothesline, how much people have donated, how much it has grown," said Ross.

She said what started with some winter clothing became fancier when someone decided to hang some Christmas ornaments for others.

Later the clothesline had knitted clothes, hoodies, toothbrushes, scarves, hand towels and much more.

Before Easter, Ross decided to hang some buckets, shovels, bubbles, hand soaps, toy cars, and dolls for families to enjoy.

"And now it is switched over to summer items," she said. "Everything from sandals to sunglasses, to socks, toys, it has everything.

"It's amazing when you go that one day it's full and the next day it's half empty."

Ross said All Saints Church helps look after the clothesline and has a coat rack inside, where people can donate coats. 

She said the site has resealable bags along with clothespins available for those who want to donate items. Ross even carries some in a tote in her car's trunk, she said.

"You can put anything on the clothesline that can fit into a [bag] ... so even hoodies," she said.

She said at first she had heard that there wasn't a need for such a project in Saint Andrews as there aren't many homeless people. But she said there are many people in the community who are in need.

Ross said she has heard a lot of positive feedback from people and will now keep the clothesline year round, as requested by many.

She said the response since she started has been overwhelming and she has had someone reach out from Fredericton who is willing to start one there.

Ross said she is helping the woman set up the clothesline and it should be up in the next few weeks.

Saint Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson helped Ross secure the spot near the church hall.

"I drive past it every day," he said. "So that's how I know when items are being taken and being put back."

He said he had also hung a pair of mittens on the line and they were gone the next week.

Upon hearing the news about the upcoming line in Fredericton, Henderson said he feels proud.

"It speaks to how good of an idea it is," he said.