MOUNT VERNON — Even before Linus was glued to his blanket in the Peanuts comic strip, blankets have given a feeling of warmth and security to young and old all over the world. A group of campers from the YMCA’s Summer Adventure program hope to offer the same to U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
Recently putting the finishing touches on 12 Blankets of Belief, YMCA campers are part of a nationwide push to send homemade blankets to the soldiers.
“We want our military to know that they are remembered. That we are thinking of them during the winter holiday season that they are away from home, and that we are grateful for their service,” said Helen Rosser, the summer adventure counselor who coordinated the effort.
Each week during SA camp, counselors focused on a weekly theme; one of those weeks was “Proud To Be An American.” When looking for project ideas, Rosser came across the Soldiers’ Angels Organization Web site, and decided making blankets was something the youths could get involved in and learn from.
“I thought our kids needed to learn to give back to our community and our country,” Rosser said.
A donation from AMVETS Post 95 Auxiliary kick started the project, and Rosser credits Joan Neighbarger and Sharon Derr for their efforts in preparing the blankets for the children.
The job of the campers, kindergartners through seventh-graders, was to tie knots in the fringe of the no-sew blankets to hold the pieces together.
“I think that it is a good service project because we support [the soldiers] and they know that we are supporting them,” said Zoe Looney.
“We are tying Blankets of Belief,” said Andrew Powell. “We just wanted the troops to know that we care.”
The project hits home for Rosser, whose son-in-law, Army Staff Sgt. Brian Newcomb, is serving his second tour in Iraq. One of the 12 blankets is earmarked for him.
In addition to Newcomb, the group made blankets for two other local soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Gray III, son of YMCA staff member Mona Carter, and Pvt. Devin Berry, a former YMCA camp counselor.
The campers presented Berry’s blanket to him personally when he was recently home on leave.
“He had just gotten back from Iraq. He only got to be here for a couple days, so he came in and talked to us so we could ask some questions. We gave him our Blanket of Belief. He was happy to receive it,” said Powell, 11, of Mount Vernon.
Powell said he already felt a strong sense of patriotism, but working on this project helped it all make sense.
Rosser said people often question the need for the soldiers to have blankets when summer temperatures often soar above 120 degrees.
According to www.encarta.msn.com, winters in Iraq have average temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter nights are “often quite cold.”
“It’s not necessarily the blanket, it’s the symbolism that we care,” Rosser said.
With the blankets completed and individual notes attached for the receiving soldier, Rosser is now ready to ship the blankets to Solders’ Angels for distribution this Christmas.
“Our deadline for receiving donations is Nov. 1, and we will ship shortly thereafter in time for the holidays,” said Maria Remillard of the Soldiers’ Angels Organization. “We are asking people to help; even if you cannot sew, there are directions for no-sew blankets, or someone can make a donation at our Web site.”
Remillard said that even if those interested made just one blanket, every one will count and be appreciated, both by the organization and those who are on the receiving end.
For more information on the project or to make a donation, visit www.soldiersangels.org.
