CARIBOU, Maine — Local children will soon have warm blankets to wrap themselves in this winter thanks to the work of dedicated quilters.
Since September, ladies in the Holy Rosary Blanket Ministry worked to create 40 fleece blankets — 20 for girls and 20 for boys — that they will soon give to the Caribou staff of Aroostook County Action Program’s early care and education programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start.
After deciding that they wanted their next project to be geared toward children, the Ministry, which has 14 members, knew that ACAP would be the perfect recipient.
“With the holidays coming up, we wanted to give [the children] something that would bring them warmth and comfort,” ministry co-leader Judy Bougie said. “We hope this will teach them to be grateful for the gifts they receive from others.”
On Monday, the Rev. David Raymond of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church gave a blessing for the blankets after ministry members finished preparing them for delivery. Each blanket features a handwritten note from the Ministry members.
The Ministry originated in 2014 after founding member Ruth Gahagan had the idea to create a group dedicated to giving blankets to people in need. Since 2014, the nonprofit group has made and donated more than 1,200 blankets to organizations such as Aroostook House of Comfort, Homeless Services of Aroostook, Hope and Justice Project, Caribou Fire and Ambulance and Cary Medical Center.
Prior to the pandemic, the group averaged around 125 blankets per year. Though COVID-19 has brought that number down somewhat, Ministry members were still able to make 36 blankets for residents of Rising Hill Assisted Living Facility in Limestone last Christmas, 10 to the House of Comfort and 15 to Maine Veterans Home this year.
Although affiliated with Holy Rosary, Bougie said that the Ministry is nondenominational and welcomes any community members who wish to join. Those who want to recommend a person, family or organization for a blanket donation can call the Holy Rosary office at 498-2536.
“We’re always open to new ideas,” Bougie said. “It’s all about giving to people who could use some comfort and love.”
CARIBOU, Maine — November 8, 2021 — Members of the Holy Rosary Blanket Ministry pose with some of the 40 fleece blankets they made for children in ACAP programs. Seated in front (from left to right): Kalen Hale, Madeline Guerrette, Thelma Casdonguay and Marie Thibeault. Standing in back (from left to right): Kay Nadeau, Albertine Dufour, Lorraine Maguire, Bernadette LeBlanche, Linda Dickinson and Nancy Thibodeau. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
