For Immediate Release
Monday, December 5, 2022
Contact
Scott McLarty, scott@memorialblanket.org
Pat LaMarche, Epicjourney10@gmail.com
Washington National Cathedral will host a rehearsal on Dec. 14 for the Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project display on the West Lawn of the Capitol in Washington DC on Dec. 21
• Time: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 12 to 3 pm
Address: 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC
Rehearsal and collection point page: https://www.facebook.com/
• 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/
WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington National Cathedral will host a rehearsal on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm, for the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project’s display of handmade blankets and quilts on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The rehearsal is open to the public and press.
The National Cathedral will also serve as a collection point for the blankets and quilts, which will be distributed to families and individuals in dire need during the winter when the display is disassembled after Dec. 21.
“It’s thrilling to have the National Cathedral involved in our project,” said Pat LaMarche, founder of the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project. “The Cathedral isn’t just a symbol of ecumenical unity. It’s also proof that great things happen after decades of determination.”
“Our nation has turned to this space to memorialize important events ever since the first stone was placed in 1907. Housing advocates all across the nation have likewise dedicated decades to ending homelessness,” said Ms. LaMarche.
The National Cathedral, a landmark in the nation’s capital, is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese in Washington. The address is 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue in Washington DC. The display rehearsal will take place in the cathedral’s courtyard.
Blanket makers unable drop off their blankets at the rehearsal are still able to leave 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/?
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://
Anyone interested in participating can sign up for their state at https://memorialblanket.org.
MORE INFORMATION
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
“Homeless Memorial Blanket Project puts a spotlight on housing insecurity”
The AFRO (Washington DC), November 6, 2022
https://afro.com/homeless-
Utah schoolkids prepare quilts for the Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project display
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Press release, Nov. 30, 2022: https://memorialblanket.org/?
Press release: Collection of blankets begins at a DC church in preparation for the Homeless #MemorialBlanket display on Dec. 21
October 26, 2022
https://memorialblanket.org/?
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
https://www.facebook.com/
Nonprofit Seeks Artisans Across US to Help the Unhoused
Daily Kos, February 6, 2022
https://www.dailykos.com/
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