Students Create and Donate Fleece Blankets to HealthLinc

The tradition started seven years ago when the Valparaiso Alternative School decided they wanted to give back to their community. Fleece blankets with several different patterns are selected by the students, then cut and tied by both teachers and students. It is always wonderful when kids step up and help out others who may be less fortunate than themselves.

Beth Wrobel, from HealthLinc has been part of this tradition from the start. One of her favorite memories is the story about a then nineteen day old infant named Matthew, who was in need of a new family. He was given a blanket upon his arrival, and then when a family surfaced, he took the blanket with him. Wrobel had the opportunity to see Matthew again five years later and found out that he still had his fleece blanket (his favorite blanket).

Karen Bonner has been with HealthLinc for over four years and had the opportunity to come to the Valparaiso Alternative School on December 9th to pick up this year’s gift of fifteen blankets. “It is so great to see kids helping kids, it is just a beautiful thing,” says Bonner. This year HealthLinc plans to provide blankets along with toys to children and families in need.

(A special thank you to Charlie Baldazo for taking the photographs)