Student organizes blanket making
FREEPORT — Kaitlyn Ritter's project couldn't have come at a better time.
The Freeport High School senior had enlisted friends and faculty members to make comfort blankets for Project Linus.
Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the session was moved to 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the school cafeteria because of a threat of a weather-related school cancellation which became a reality.
“We have 36 people making blankets,” said Ritter. “They follow directions, cutting the fringe and then pulling the fringes through small holes made above the fringe.”
The blankets, which come in crib and adult sizes, will be donated to Project Linus, a group that delivers the blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.
Kaitlyn, the daughter of Daniel Ritter of Sarver and Brenda Stelle of Sarver, said the blanket project “was kind of just something I did on my own.
“I found out about Project Linus,” said Kaitlyn. “I was extremely interested in it. I researched everything and learned what materials I needed and how to make the blankets.”
Kaitlyn continued, “Our school had never done anything like it, and I thought that it would be amazing to bring it to our school.
“I have always done community service that was already set up for me to do, but I thought it would be a great learning experience to start something and be the sole person who has to fund raise, get people to join me, pitch my idea to my peers, and get all the materials, ”she said.
Kaitlyn, a member of the National Honor Society, brought the idea to her NHS adviser, Chaz Shipman, who was very supportive and helped her present it to the school.
Kaitlyn pitched the project to her National Honor Society peers, Key Club members and others at the school and lined up her volunteers.
Kaitlyn then had to find money to buy the material to make the blankets. She said she raised $300 through donations and a GoFundMe account.Her friend and fellow senior and National Honor Society member Abby Bastaja said, “We were in the Olive Garden talking about Project Linus.“We decided to go to Jo-Ann Fabrics just to get an idea on pricing,” she said.“We were looking at fabric and Kaitlyn told this woman about Project Linus and that she was looking for sponsors, and she just gave her $100. It was amazing. She was a total stranger,” said Abby.“I was in contact with Lois Misko at Project Linus to make sure I'm doing everything right,” Kaitlyn said.With enough money for 100 blankets, Kaitlyn bought her material and assembled her workers, not all of them students.Teacher's aides Karen Sterner and Jeannie Mazurowski worked on their second blanket.Sterner said, “Mr. Shipman, (the National Honor Society adviser) can't be here today so I am filling in for him.”Mazurowski said, “I am the Kiwanis adviser to the Key Club here. I can stay so I am putting in some time after school. I'm part of the Freeport Kiwanis. Key Club is sponsored by Kiwanis.”Kaitlyn tallied up nearly 70 blankets by the end of the session.“We might have a second day in the middle of February. We were able to buy more (material) than expected,” said Kaitlyn. “Who knows? We might get another anonymous random shopper to give us $100.”Kaitlyn said she would contact the Project Linus Pittsburgh chapter to make arrangements to deliver the finished blankets for distribution to children.“ I have never seen something like this being done by one student at my school, so I hope I can inspire more students to start their own projects like this,” she said.
