On Jan. 18, a group of nearly two dozen volunteers braved the morning’s frigid cold and ventured out of their homes to participate in an event whose goal was to bring warmth to sick children.
Once inside the cafeteria at North Hill Elementary School, they were greeted by brightly colored swaths of fleece fabric waiting to be cut and tied to create blankets to be donated to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
The blanket making was hosted by National Honor Society and was spearheaded by senior Sophie Brown, who had been planning for it since last spring, when she was searching for a service project that would meet the eligibility requirements for the NHS Executive Board.
She scoured the internet for ideas, but it was ultimately a desire to teach something coupled with her affinity for crafts and an old photograph that led her to choose the blanket project.
The photograph was of her friend while in the children’s hospital, snuggled up under a tie blanket.
“I remembered that she was always cold,” Brown said.
And so she decided the mission of her project would be to provide tie blankets to as many patients at the children’s hospital as possible.
She began seeking out donations via phone calls and keeping a watchful eye out for fabric sales and ultimately secured enough materials to craft 35 blankets. Additional donations of ready-made blankets brought the total number of blankets to be donated to more than 60.
Brown plans to transport the blankets to Iowa City later this month. But the blankets won’t be the only thing she and her fellow NHS members will have in tow.
They also hope to have a vehicle packed full of stuffed animals donated during the Teddy Bear Toss, which will be held during halftime of the boys varsity basketball game on Feb. 7.
“Come out and watch the girls and donate a teddy bear at the boys game,” Brown said. “It’s for a good cause.”
The stuffed animals will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
There’s also still time to donate blankets. Donated items must be new and may be dropped off in the office at Burlington High School.
