In an effort to spread a little joy and love to those who are coming to the end of their lives, Discount Fabric Warehouse in partnership with Hawaii Care Choices is collecting lap blankets for distribution to new hospice patients.
Lani Weigert of Hawaii Care Choices urges individuals and groups to donate homemade lap blankets to the blanket drive.
“At Hawaii Care Choices, formerly Hospice of Hilo, it’s our mission to bring comfort to those suffering with terminal illness,” said Weigert. “Something as simple as a blanket often provides untold comfort and peace to the patient during their final days of life.”
Weigert said blankets are often made with so much love and compassion that the recipients say they can feel that love, and some ask to be buried with their beloved blanket. Others pass their blankets on to a newborn grandchild as a parting gift.
“These blankets are very special and often treated as heirlooms by the patients” she said. “Not because they are made with the most expensive material, but because they are made with LOVE.”
Hawaii Care Choices is seeking lap blankets throughout November to be presented to its hospice patients.
Throughout the month, those who want to help can drop off a homemade lap blanket at the Discount Fabric Warehouse locations in Hilo and Kona. The suggested size is 36-by-42 inches, and blankets should be no smaller than 30-by-40 inches. Feel free to use your favorite blanket pattern or try a new style of blanket.
The blankets will be passed on to individuals of a wide range of ages and backgrounds and will be much appreciated and loved.
Patterns, instructions and video tutorial links for various blankets can be found on the Discount Fabric Warehouse website at www.discountfabricwarehouse.com/lapblankets. Blanket workshops through the online conferencing app Zoom will also be listed on the website as they are scheduled.
For more information about the blanket drive, contact Discount Fabric Warehouse at fabricdfw@gotfabric.com.
For additional information about Hawaii Care Choices, visit www.hawaiicarechoices.org/ or contact Jeanette Mochida at 969-1733.
