"Blanketing Many with Warmth" Collects Blankets for Patients

Diane Proctor, creator of "Blanketing Many with Warmth," received the 2014 ATHENA Award in Westmoreland County.

by Regina Solomond

Diane Proctor’s “Blanketing Many with Warmth” project was launched after she was selected to receive the 2014 ATHENA Award in Westmoreland County. The ATHENA Award recognizes exceptional women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community, and help other women to succeed through mentorship. The mission of “Blanketing Many with Warmth” is to comfort individuals in nursing homes and to ease suffering during dialysis and chemo treatments by providing them with handmade blankets.  An added bonus of the gift is that the patient’s spirits are raised knowing that someone cares about them.

Beautiful blankets help life patients' spirits as well as provide warmth.

Proctor was motivated to begin this project after watching her grandmother go through dialysis, and seeing how cold and chilly her grandmother was during treatment. 

“Seeing the discomfort of my grandmother, I thought to myself that others must be feeling the same during their chemo or other treatments”, said Proctor.

"Blanketing Many with Warmth" kicked off on August 1st; so far the project has received 58 hand-made blankets. The goal is to deliver over 100 blankets to Excela Health Hospice Program by March 2015. The blanket does not need to be knitted—quilts, fleece, and afghans are all accepted. Prayer shawls, rag quilts, and lap robes have also been requested.

"Blanketing Many with Warmth" is more than halfway to its goal of receiving and donating 100 blankets.

 Proctor stated “If you can’t knit, you can still help by donating yarn."

However, she encouraged people to pick up some needles and learn how to knit! Proctor herself only started knitting last May. She recommends starting with a single crochet stitch and using a bigger sized hook (a size 6 or a J).

If you plan on donating yarn to the project, the sooner you send it, the sooner Proctor and her volunteers will be able to turn it into a blanket and reach their goal. If you are knitting blankets for the project, let Proctor know of your progress!

The handmade blankets will be distributed to patients in the Excela Health Hospice Program in March 2015. All material used must be new and machine washable. To help, contact Diane Proctor at athena2014impact@outlook.com, or at 814-243-8704.

Mail items to:

Diane Proctor

1600 Technology Way

Latrobe, PA 15650