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August 16, 2002/Elul 8 5762, Vol. 54, No. 48
Blanket Boosters
Beth El donates to children
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial Assistant
Members of Blanket Boosters make afghans for patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Front row, from left, are Sandy Schnell, Loretta Goldberg and Eva Feld. Back row, from left, are Miriam Diskin, Gertrude Shore, Isabelle Sternberg and Charleen Holt.
Photo courtesy of Joni Cohen
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Patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital have enjoyed a little extra warmth in recent months, courtesy of an organization formed by members of Beth El Congregation. The group, Blanket Boosters, is dedicated to knitting and crocheting afghans to donate to the hospital in an effort to help sick children enjoy the comforts of home.
"A lot of the children are (in the hospital) for extended periods of time," says Sandy Schnell, chairwoman of the organization. "A knitted blanket offers security."
Blanket Boosters, which is about 20 members strong, was formed last October. Participants, ranging in age from 12 to about 80, meet twice monthly at Beth El, as well as dedicate personal time to creating knitted or crocheted squares.
"We're brand new and we already have completed and delivered 28 blankets," says Schnell. "We have about 12 more ready to go."
In order to pay for supplies to make the afghans, Blanket Boosters sold raffle tickets for a blanket sporting Arizona Diamondbacks colors with a diamond pattern motif, made by organization member Loretta Goldberg. The winner of the blanket will be announced at a breakfast at Beth El on Aug. 25.
"We printed 180 tickets and within a month they were sold," says Schnell. "The money that we raised is being used to buy more yarn."
Blanket Boosters has also received donations of yarn.
"I have a room that's filled with yarn, my car is filled with yarn," says Schnell. "I always have yarn with me so that if I meet someone who wants to crochet, I can open my trunk and let them pick their colors."
Aside from the satisfaction of donating blankets to children, members of the organization find their own comfort in the group.
"I like to do things that contribute to the community," says Goldberg. "I've never been a person that's good at sitting and watching television."
Members of other synagogues have joined forces with Beth El Blanket Boosters as well, explains Schnell.
"It has just snowballed and it's branching out," she says. "I'm so excited about it because I never thought it would go to this extreme."
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