Since September 2016 Leesburg Kiwanians have hand-braided and delivered 600 (and counting) fleece blankets to the pediatric ward at Loudoun INOVA Hospital–delivery 300 pictured. What started as 12 each month is now 24 for children staying at the hospital, including those there for MRIs and radiology, emergency room visits, and operations.
INOVA hospital staff lets children who need some added warmth or just some soft, soothing comfort choose a blanket.
According to the staff, these blankets have become very popular with their colorful designs and hand-braided edges. Hospital child life specialists report “many patients hold onto their blankets their entire visit, and it becomes their coping method!” They note the children are thrilled to learn they get to take them home too.
When the club delivered presents to patients just before Christmas in 2018, we met a teenage girl who had received one of our first donated blankets. It remains a prized possession according to her mom.
The pediatric unit therapy dog–Jeremiah–gets monthly deliveries too. At the staff’s request we braid the edge remnants from the fleece into sturdy chew toys. According to a former handler, “he’s in heaven with his rope pull toys! He likes to challenge me every now and again to a game of tug of war and he always wins…of course!” Jeremiah looks forward to blanket deliveries too because his 3 toys have come. If Jeremiah sees us coming to deliver blankets in the hallway, he looks for his toy, and sometimes will take one right then to carry around the hospital.
Therapy Dog Jeremiah enjoying a new chew toy made from remnants of the braided fleece blankets for pediatric patients.
4 members braved cold and rainy weather to hand out Hershey's chocolate hearts and kisses to clients at the pantry's free lunch program on February 12-14. We put smiles on the faces of several hundred grateful people, from young children to the elderly, with a sweet treat to celebrate the holiday. ... See MoreSee Less
The club will give away gently used books at Leesburg's Ampersand Pantry's 338 East Market St location on National Reading Across America Day--Tuesday, March 2nd, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Dr Seuss' birthday!
In Jamaica, the Kiwanis Club of Young Professionals St. Catherine, assisted by clubs in Sunshine City and South St. Catherine, provided back-to-school items for more than 200 children in Spanish Town. Students received books, pens and pencils, water bottles, lunch bags, masks and thumb drives. #KidsNeedKiwanis... See MoreSee Less
The Kiwanis Club of Young Professionals St Catherine (KCYPSC) of Division 23 West hosted its inaugural Signature Project in the form of a Back-to-School Project on S
Fleece Blankets for INOVA Loudoun Hospital
Since September 2016 Leesburg Kiwanians have hand-braided and delivered 600 (and counting) fleece blankets to the pediatric ward at Loudoun INOVA Hospital–delivery 300 pictured. What started as 12 each month is now 24 for children staying at the hospital, including those there for MRIs and radiology, emergency room visits, and operations.
INOVA hospital staff lets children who need some added warmth or just some soft, soothing comfort choose a blanket.
According to the staff, these blankets have become very popular with their colorful designs and hand-braided edges. Hospital child life specialists report “many patients hold onto their blankets their entire visit, and it becomes their coping method!” They note the children are thrilled to learn they get to take them home too.
When the club delivered presents to patients just before Christmas in 2018, we met a teenage girl who had received one of our first donated blankets. It remains a prized possession according to her mom.
The pediatric unit therapy dog–Jeremiah–gets monthly deliveries too. At the staff’s request we braid the edge remnants from the fleece into sturdy chew toys. According to a former handler, “he’s in heaven with his rope pull toys! He likes to challenge me every now and again to a game of tug of war and he always wins…of course!” Jeremiah looks forward to blanket deliveries too because his 3 toys have come. If Jeremiah sees us coming to deliver blankets in the hallway, he looks for his toy, and sometimes will take one right then to carry around the hospital.
Would you like to braid a blanket for your child? Follow these instructions.
Just another example of why #kidsneedKiwanis.
Would you like to donate the cost of a blanket? Donate here.
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Leesburg Kiwanis
2 weeks ago
Valentine's Day at Ampersand Pantry
4 members braved cold and rainy weather to hand out Hershey's chocolate hearts and kisses to clients at the pantry's free lunch program on February 12-14. We put smiles on the faces of several hundred grateful people, from young children to the elderly, with a sweet treat to celebrate the holiday. ... See MoreSee Less
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Leesburg Kiwanis
2 weeks ago
Children's Book Giveaway in Leesburg March 2nd
The club will give away gently used books at Leesburg's Ampersand Pantry's 338 East Market St location on National Reading Across America Day--Tuesday, March 2nd, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Dr Seuss' birthday!
Books are sorted and ready to go. Spread the joy of reading with free books. #KidsNeedKiwanis ... See MoreSee Less
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Kiwanis International
3 hours ago
Time to start planning for graduation celebrations. 🎓 Support your Key Club International seniors with graduation gear. Shop now: bit.ly/3dQ08j6 ... See MoreSee Less
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Kiwanis International
22 hours ago
In Jamaica, the Kiwanis Club of Young Professionals St. Catherine, assisted by clubs in Sunshine City and South St. Catherine, provided back-to-school items for more than 200 children in Spanish Town. Students received books, pens and pencils, water bottles, lunch bags, masks and thumb drives. #KidsNeedKiwanis ... See MoreSee Less
Kiwanians host signature back-to-school project in Spanish Town
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The Kiwanis Club of Young Professionals St Catherine (KCYPSC) of Division 23 West hosted its inaugural Signature Project in the form of a Back-to-School Project on SShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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wonderful work..keep going