Delivering Blankets

Betty Boucher, coordinator of the Greystone Blanketeers, shares her experience delivering blankets to several local hospitals: 

   I delivered to Rex Hospital 29 blankets of various sizes (4 were quilts) which they said were just perfect. The nurse offered me a tour of the area in the Women's Center where they have preemies and newborns with medical problems.  They also told me how they use the various size blankets.  I got to see different sizes being used.
      - Small fleece: used on top of sheets in isolettes or small cribs for comfort.  Parents may take these blankets home to sleep with so they imprint their scent on the blankets, bring them back to wrap babies in; or wrap their baby in the blanket, then take it home and let family pet become use to scent of baby just before baby is brought home.
      - Baby medium size fleece or baby quilts: used to completely cover isolettes or to wrap babies in the mini-cribs.

   It was a fantastic experience for me.  I was embraced and treated like royalty.  They were so appreciative to receive the blankets. They hadn't had any delivered in a while. They've received some from Capital Quilting Club and individuals.  I also saw how small the space they had to store them.  They had actually used their last blanket on a baby born today with some breathing problems so was in special isolette with the quilt covering it.

   While we were getting the bags out of my car a woman leaving the Women's Center stopped to ask how much we were selling the blankets for.  She was clearly amazed when the nurse said they were all made by volunteers and were donated free to the hospital.  She just raised her hand to the sky and said "There are angels everywhere!"  I told her I had a hoard of angels making this happen.

   My reception from Duke Hospital was similar.  I was told about the teenagers who were in their care for months and how they decorated their space with their cheerful blankets.  The nurses at WakeMed Brier Creek were thrilled by variety of colors and the 2 crocheted blankets with the matching baby hats.

   Every appointment I made for a delivery was greeted with absolute joy and delight that we were willing to share with their facility, then amazement over the variety and quality. All 3 facilities emphasized that they would be grateful and find a use for any size I delivered.  All remarked about how grateful the parents felt that someone would do this to provide comfort for their child.

   What a great experience.  Thank you for letting me do this.