West Middle School Students Bring Cheer to Hospice Patients

Students from West Middle School's National Junior Honor Society shared the holiday spirit last week when they created over 100 fleece blankets for patients of Angela Hospice. 

About 150 students participated, taking over the whole cafeteria with colorful fleece fabric they donated themselves. The students made “no-sew” blankets with knotted fringe from two coordinating pieces of fleece, creating blankets that are both warm and heart-warming.

“This is the eighth year they’ve been doing this and it is a very successful community event,” Ann-Patrice Foley, Angela Hospice pediatric social worker said. 

Foley gave a short presentation to the students about hospice care and the benefits it offers families, and shared how the blankets would be used.

“The children are delighted to help the patients, and the patients are delighted to receive the blankets,” Foley said.  

The National Junior Honor Society students have opportunities for community service each month, and are required to volunteer ten hours of service per year, plus five hours of tutoring. 

Valerie Swift, a counselor at West and honor society advisor, said she tries to select activities that will appeal to both male and female students, and will impact the community in different ways.

“Next month, we are doing a bake sale after the band concert and all of the proceeds will go to Gleaners Food Bank,” Swift explained. “Last year NJHS gave over $1,000 to Gleaners from two bake sales.”

The fleece blankets the students created will be delivered to Angela Hospice’s Home Care patients, who are sure to enjoy the fun and colorful patterns the students selected.

Source: news release