Homeless man helping the homeless by knitting hats during the winter

MEDFORD, Ore. - For the last two winters, Trinidad Flores has spent his free time knitting hats.

"It really started off as just a therapy for me. I suffered from major depression and knitting actually helps me keep my mind off my own problems and gives me an outlet," Flores said.

Flores decided to turn this hobby into a community effort by knitting for the frail and cold.

He spends about 35 minutes on baby hats for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rogue Regional and about two hours on hats for the homeless.

However, he says he'll spend all the time in the world for his friends.

"I ended up getting hugs for hats yesterday that I gave out, just an awesome feeling," Flores said.

In the last two years, Trinidad has knit close to 1,000 hats, which he has given to homeless friends like Barbara Bain.

"I love pink, purple and blue. Trinidad had some hats that I really loved. He does an awesome job," Bain said.

Bain says a simple gesture like this has touched many lives in the Medford community.

"It's so quick, so easy, but yet it's all the love that he puts into it that makes the difference," Bain said.

Trinidad has called this project 'Compassion Hats.'

"Really that's what it is, compassion. Having compassion for all the others," Flores said.

He hopes to keep each of the homeless warm this winter - one hat at a time.