SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan, a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates whose mission is to better the lives of women, children and families, announced the 20th anniversary of its handmade fleece blanket donation program Wrapped in Love.
Each year, volunteers make some 600 blankets which are then distributed to 15 agencies and hospital systems, providing comfort to children placed in foster care or children in hospitals undergoing difficult treatments such as chemotherapy. Current agencies include Lighthouse Youth Sanctuary in Royal Oak, Orchards Children’s Services in Southfield, Children’s Village in Pontiac, Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park, Crossroads of Michigan in Detroit, Women, Children and Families United in Detroit and YWCA Interim House in Detroit. Hospitals that receive the blankets include Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, and Corewell Health System in metro Detroit; Kids Kicking Cancer in Southfield is also a recipient.
For the past seven years, Jay’s Juniors, a charity run by radio and TV personality Jay Towers, which takes disabled and terminally ill children on a magical trip to Disney World, has also benefitted from Wrapped in Love. Each child receives a Disney-themed fleece blanket as they embark on their trip.
“When abused and neglected children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care, they often don’t have any of their belongings and are given just basic clothing. It is a very frightening time with everything familiar being left behind, so providing these children with a handmade fleece blanket is a small gesture which offers some comfort, warmth and sense of security,” said NCJW|MI President Amy Zeskind.
Wrapped in Love was originally started to help children in crisis but was then expanded to include hospitalized children undergoing chemotherapy or treatment for blood disorders.
“These young patients often feel cold and afraid, so a soft colorful blanket helps to keep them warm and reassured,” said Zeskind. “Blankets are made with love and care by our team of volunteers, and we are so proud of their dedication to this important work.”
Vicki Orleans, Donor Relations and Volunteer Coordinator at Orchards Children’s Services, said that her agency received 70 blankets at Thanksgiving.
“The children were excited to receive a warm blanket with their food……they were so grateful to get a small piece of comfort,” she said. Orleans recalls that one of the children said she didn’t want to put the blanket down because she had never had anything like it before. Orchards Children Services was founded by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section (now National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan) in 1962 and went on to become one of the largest child welfare agencies in Michigan serving 15 counties.
Blankets are created every Monday morning from 10 a.m. to noon at NCJW|MI’s office (26400 Lahser Rd #306, Southfield, MI 48033). No experience is necessary and volunteers enjoy socializing, snacking and chatting as they cut and tie fleece into one-of-a-kind blankets. Fleece fabric is purchased using funds from grants, tributes and donations. For more information or to volunteer go to www.ncjwmi.org or call 248.355.3300 ext. 0.
