Local non-profit The Patchwork Angels have been busy sewing and distributing blankets to those in need.
Executive Director Angie-Marie Garcia and Sharon Poteet, director of communications, dropped off 16 blankets recently to the Ronald McDonald House.
These 16 blankets account for a small percentage of the 570 blankets the pair has hand quilted and distributed to those in need.
The project began when Garcia, who was originally a part of Project Linus (a group that distributes blankets), saw a need to do more than just distribute the blankets.
She saw that the women and children in need they were helping needed more than blankets, just as she once did.
When Garcia arrived in Red Deer at the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter after leaving an abusive relationship in Saskatchewan, she had nothing but the clothes on her back. It was here that the Project Linus gave her a blanket for her and her son.
To have nothing and be given this blanket meant more to Garcia than she ever possibly could have imagined, she said. This gift led her to join Project Linus and as she says “Begin to pay it forward”.
While Project Linus deals only with hand made blankets, the Patchwork Angels distribute blankets, hooded sweatshirts to the youth at the shelter downtown, as well as Christmas presents to those at the youth shelter.
Their list of clients includes the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, Red Deer Humane Society, Julietta’s Place, Berachah Place, Loaves and Fishes, Red Deer Hospital Children’s Ward and the Red Deer Ronald McDonald House.
Poteet says that she believes people often don’t take the time to look around them and see how many people are in need in their own communities.
“People look at the news and see broadcasts of people all over the world who are in desperate need of help,” said Poteet. “But what the news doesn’t show is how many people are in need in our own backyard.”
Poteet urges those in Central Alberta to pitch in and help in any way they can, whether it be through donating unused items, spare cash, or their time.
jswan@reddeerexpress.com
