For Immediate Release
Monday, November 14, 2022
Contact
Scott McLarty, scott@memorialblanket.org
Pat LaMarche, Epicjourney10@gmail.com
Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project to cover the West Lawn of the Capitol with handmade blankets: Wednesday, Dec. 21 in Washington DC
• Remembering families without a home on Thanksgiving: November is Homelessness Awareness Month
• 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 Homeless Memorial Blanket Project, a nationwide effort to encourage and compile homemade blankets for distribution to unhoused individuals and families, is preparing a display of blankets to cover 9,000 square feet of the West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022.
When the display is disassembled, the blankets will be distributed to families and individuals in dire need during the winter.
“This Thanksgiving, hundreds of millions of Americans will gather in homes and discuss all the things they appreciate about their lives. And millions more will not. November is Homeless Awareness Month. The staff and volunteers of the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project invite America to think about housing this holiday,” said Pat LaMarche, founder of the project.
“We can’t fix what we don’t understand. But with a little understanding, we can all work toward a solution. We hope people plan to join us — virtually or in person — at the West Lawn of the US Capitol, Dec. 21 as we spread the word about housing insecurity,” said Ms. LaMarche.
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/?
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-
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/?
Press release: Pennsylvania housing advocate invites donations of blanket squares for the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project
September 12, 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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