These cold temperatures have been hitting everyone hard across the Western Slope and nobody has had it worse than those living on the streets.

With this winter being much colder than normal, one woman's organization is out to make sure nobody on the streets goes without a hat and gloves.

"It's a very sad situation" said Kathie Fingerson, founder of the Warming Hands Project.

She thought about it back in 2009 when she saw homeless people on the streets freezing. She knew she had to do something about it so she started the warming hands project.

"It’s just a grass roots project where we collect hats and gloves and warm clothing for the needy and we distribute directly to them" said Fingerson.

Fingerson says that giving something as simple as a pair of gloves can make a huge difference in someone's life.

"It’s extremely important, especially this winter when we've had such freezing temperatures. It's really detrimental to their health. If they're out too long, they run the risk of exposure and frostbite" explains Fingerson.

Nobody knows that more than Wendell Faircloth. Living on the streets himself, he fell victim to the frigid temperatures.

"It’s been terrible. I’ve got frostbite on my left hand. I’m about to lose a couple of fingers. I’ve got surgeons working on it right now and looking at it" said Faircloth.

Faircloth says he may have lost even more to frostbite if it wasn't for Fingerson.

"I didn't know who she was. I just thought she was a nice lady. She brought me gloves. She brought me boots in fact too. Socks. I just thought she was super nice" explained Faircloth.

One of the organizations that works with Warming Hands is Child & Migrant Services in Palisade. It's goal is to provide for seasonal farm workers, who are also in desperate need of gloves.

"We've had workers tell us about their struggles to prevent frostbite as they're working, particularly pruning, here in the early months of the year and this clothing helps prevent that" explained Claudia McClintock, Executive Director of Child & Migrant Services.

These stories of struggle have inspired Fingerson to make a difference.

"It just makes sense to share as a community" said Fingerson.

The warming hands project runs on donations. If you'd like to help out, you can visit its Facebook page at Warming Hands Project or to the website by clinking here.