The Lakeview Hospital Same Day Surgery department approached the Lakeview Foundation last summer because they saw patients with a special need. “We all know that coming to the hospital is a stressful event for everyone, whether it is for a planned procedure or acute illness. As caretakers, one of our goals is to provide reassurance and emotional support in an attempt to relieve this anxiety,” shared Deb Arcand, manager of same day surgery. “We are fortunate when we have the opportunity to witness the positive impact on a child or adult when they are greeted with a comforting blanket on admission to the unit for care. This gesture helps to establish a genuine caring environment. When a child receives a blanket and smiles the parent relaxes and breathes a sigh of relief and a trusting relationship begins.”

The Foundation shared this story with St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. In April, 27 second and third grade Sunday school students made and donated 21 fleece “tied” blankets for their first delivery to Lakeview Hospital. Since then, over 300 blankets have been made and donated. This is just the beginning of the blanket donations which are coming from St. Andrew’s. Their Bible school program has also adopted the blanket program as their cause for this summer. In addition, their knitters group has added to the number with crocheted and knit shawls and confirmation students; Girl Scouts and others are now joining the effort. They have expanded their service and outreach to the local community, according to St. Andrew’s local missions director Kellie Cardinal, and this project was a nice fit for many of their volunteers and groups to easily plug into.

“The blankets are a huge success! A young boy just went past my office on a stretcher, returning to the emergency room from x-ray. He was curled up with one of the blankets and looked very content,” reported Deb Arcand. “Our surgical pediatric patients have been so excited to receive a blanket.”

The Foundation estimates a need for 1,500 blankets per year. If you or your organization would like to partner with Lakeview Foundation to make blankets, or if you would like to donate fleece, yarn or funds to purchase these supplies, please contact Ruth (Lakeview Foundation) at (651) 430-8731 or foundation@lakeview.org.