For Immediate Release
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
 
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Utah schoolkids prepare quilts for the Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project display on the West Lawn of the Capitol in Washington DC on Dec. 21
 
• Reporters are invited to attend quilt tying at Midvale Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 3 to 4 pm (address: 7852 Pioneer Street, Midvale, Utah)
 
• Video of Midvale Middle School students working on quilts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kdB3GF1qsQ
 
• People across the US with sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting skills are contributing blankets: Find a state at https://memorialblanket.org
 
• Facebook page with photographs and news about the project and participants: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322512689587858
 
 
WASHINGTON, DC — Middle school students in Utah are preparing quilts to be sent to Washington DC for display on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The display of handmade blankets and quilts by the Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project will cover 9,000 square feet of the West Lawn.
 
When the display is disassembled after Dec. 21, the blankets and quilts will be distributed to families and individuals in dire need during the winter.
 
Students at Midvale Middle School in Midvale, Utah (Canyons School District in Salt Lake County: https://midvalemiddle.canyonsdistrict.org) are tying the quilts this week through Thursday, Dec. 1. Tying a quilt means threading a tough, heavy yarn or thread through the quilt’s three layers and then tying a knot to secure the layers permanently.
 
Members of the news media are welcome to attend quilt tying at Midvale Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 3 to 4 pm. The address is 7852 Pioneer Street in Midvale, Utah.
 
When asked why they were quilting blankets for other children in need, Midvale students said “Oh, we’re paying it forward.” “I feel like helping someone else.” “I need to give kindness to the world.” “I did this to pay back the person who did it for me.” (Many of the students have experienced homelessness.)
 
The quilt tops were made and donated by Vicky McIntosh, a local volunteer. Suzie Pressett runs Midvale Middle School’s afternoon program and is helping the young people share their talents. Her work is supported by Connie Crosby, McKinney-Vento liaison to the school district. Ms. Crosby and Sharon Higgins, McKinney-Vento assistant to Midvale Middle School, are working to remove educational barriers that stand between children experiencing homelessness and their education, in accord with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.
 
“I want to call attention to how many people we have that are unsheltered and need help,” said Ms. Crosby, explaining her enthusiasm for the project.
 
In Washington DC, organizers are inviting blanket makers to drop off their creations at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street NE in Washington DC. They can do so Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., now through Dec. 20. The church will store the blankets until the event. (More: https://memorialblanket.org/?page_id=896)
 
The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project is aiming for a total of at least 500 blankets (9000 square feet), contributed by participants in every state and territory, for the display on Dec. 21 with the goal of raising public awareness of people without adequate housing.
 
The project has participants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Volunteers in each state are being asked to make at least 100 blankets, providing ten for the Capitol Lawn display and donating another 90 or more to outreach programs in their area.
 
Typical blankets dimensions are 45″ x 80″ and 60″ x 80″ with a variety of fabrics, fibers, and colors.
 
Some states have begun to charter buses to bring participants to Washington DC for the Dec. 21 display.
 
The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project is hosted by the Charles Bruce Foundation (https://charlesbrucefoundation.com), which is located in central Pennsylvania. The Dec. 21 display will be an arts installation by this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
 
Anyone interested in participating can sign up for their state at https://memorialblanket.org.
 
 
MORE INFORMATION
 
 
“Homeless Memorial Blanket Project puts a spotlight on housing insecurity”
The AFRO (Washington DC), November 6, 2022
 
Press release: Collection of blankets begins at a DC church in preparation for the Homeless #MemorialBlanket display on Dec. 21
October 26, 2022
 
Homeless Memorial Blanket Project on Facebook (national group)
To find a state Facebook group, type Homeless Remembrance Blanket and the state’s name in Search
 
Nonprofit Seeks Artisans Across US to Help the Unhoused
Daily Kos, February 6, 2022
 
 
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