Blanket Club

Winter is quickly approaching, and with it, the need for heavy coats, hot chocolate, and most of all, cozy blankets.  The blissful feeling of snuggling up into a warm, fuzzy blanket after a long, freezing day has brought joy to the hearts of many in the CB community.  But a special group of students seek to share this feeling with those who need it most.

The Christian Brothers High School Blanket Club is on a mission to spread the warmth of love with blankets.  With new leadership, the club is looking forward to a successful year of bringing joy to many who are going through tough times.

This year, the Blanket Club has new co-presidents, Amelia Poroli (’18) and Julia Padilla (’18), as well as a new moderator, Ms. Chrys Cassetta.  Amelia and Julia took over the job of former club president Reagan Tweedy ’16.  As hardworking, dedicated, and kindhearted members of the club, these two girls are the perfect people to head this philanthropic club that touches the lives and hearts of so many people.

The Blanket Club makes blankets for children at Sutter Children’s Center, a comprehensive pediatric medical center in midtown Sacramento.  These children are often depressed and lonely, so the blankets help to comfort them and make them feel better.

Blanket Club members go to immense efforts to bring love and warmth to these suffering children.  Previously the club met every Thursday at lunch but this year the club will begin to meet during Falcon Flex.  Amelia describes the typical process the club goes through at the meetings and in delivering the blankets.

“The first part of our meeting we all eat lunch.  Then we go to the back of the classroom and make blankets,” she says.  “Once we get about fifteen blankets we make a trip to the hospital and turn them in.”

The blankets are made of fleece fabric which the club presidents purchase from local craft stores.  Making a blanket is a simple process:  cut the material to size, cut strips along the entire perimeter, and then tie two of the prepared fabrics together using the strips on the edges.  Usually the club uses one solid fleece and one patterned fleece for each blanket to make it more vibrant.

Typically, the club makes five to ten trips to the children’s hospital each year.  Every time they go, they bring enough blankets to fill the entire trunk of a car.

What sets the club apart from other CB clubs, Amelia says, is “the opportunity to make something” and the way it “combines the elements of blankets and kindness.”  Who doesn’t love those?

Ms. Cassetta comments that when she thinks of this club she thinks of “a great group of girls who get together and have fun making a difference in the community.”

But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a girl to join — anyone is welcome.

The club hopes to increase active membership so it can get more blankets to the hospital to help more kids.  They are well on their way to achieving this goal after a successful club day during which they gained many new members.  The club plans to hold its first official meeting within the next few weeks.

The Blanket Club provides the opportunity for students to bring comfort and joy to children who are suffering.  It’s an extremely rewarding experience and not only benefits these children, but also brings fulfillment and happiness to the members of the Blanket Club.

To sign up for the Blanket Club, contact Amelia or Julia for more information.