Before retiring years ago, Trumbull was a teacher and counselor for Riddle Elementary School and other surrounding Lansing area schools with Montaven as her assistant. There, the two dealt with many children who had come from various local shelters that often had limited resources.

“There was a little girl who came from the shelter who was obsessed with the color purple” said Trumbull, who graduated from MSU. “I later realized that at the shelter, purple was the color (of gifts) she received most often. The purple reminded her of positive things and people helping.”

Years after retiring, Trumbull and Montaven started making packages to send to homeless shelters with inspiration sparked from the little girl’s story. The duo knits or crochets towels that are wrapped up with donated toiletry items, and then tied together with yarn. Items are donated from different local hotels, dentist offices, dermatologist and friends.

Montaven, who moved from France in 1960, has a different style of knitting that often makes the process go faster.

“I can usually make more than one towel in a night,” Montaven said. “We try to make as many as we can and it’s a great time to spend time with my friend.”

Trumbull was a part of a Mid-Michigan Knitters Guild for about three years, where many people would get together at The Coffee Jam, 6427 Centurion Drive, in Lansing and eat lunch, drink coffee and socialize while knitting various items. One day she asked Jane Schoneman, who worked at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, if they needed any more items for women in need.

“We talk about what we’re doing in our lives, she wanted a little more information about the Women’s Center (of Greater Lansing),” Schoneman said. “She had been putting these personal kits (together) for quite some time, and she wanted to know if they needed more personal care items and they did. Emily has been putting them together for the Women’s (Center of Greater Lansing) since.”

According to Trumbull, Coffee Jam has sort of catered to various knitters around town, also helping gain attention and materials for her hobby.

“Many times while I’m knitting, a lot of women are interested in what I’m doing,” Trumbull said. “I tell them, and sometimes they return the next week and give me towels that they made to support the cause.”

With help from the community, Trumbull and Montaven make the packages for various reasons. Around Easter, the packages are tied up in festive gift bags, and around Valentine’s Day the two make red scarfs for young adults who are in college and used to be a part of the foster system.

“Once the children turn 18, they are removed from the system, often with no family,” Trumbull said. “The red scarves (are) to remind students that they’re not alone, and that someone loves them.”