Anderson New Tech students donate blankets to help foster children

Photo by Michael Woodward

After weeks of making no sew blankets, students at Anderson New Technology High School presented 82 blankets to Youth and Family Programs.

According to Bonnie Hollister, who is in charge of recruitment and donations for Youth and Family Programs, the blankets go to children as they first come into care along with a "welcome pack" filled with underwear, pajamas, a toothbrush and sometimes school supplies, because they normally do not have anything.

"We set out two or three blankets and let the kids pick which blanket they would like," said Hollister. "It helps them feel better, because it's all they have."

Many times children entering foster care cannot take anything with them because they are contaminated due to Methamphetamines, said Hollister.

"We do a sponsor blanket program. Each blanket is $10 to make, we received about $800 and made 82 blankets," said Carrie Hernandez, a teacher at New Tech High School.

There was a blanket-making day in November and one at the beginning of December. Over 60 students participated in making blankets and some of the students would take blankets home with them to finish and then bring them back, said Hernandez.

This the fifth year New Tech has had a blanket drive and this is the high school's fourth year donating the blankets to Youth and Family Programs.