Blanket Drive to Help Those In Need Stay Warm This Winter
Wasco Co. Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers braving the cold to collect donations in previous years.
By Cole Goodwin
Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps will host their 9th Annual Blanket Drive on January 15th, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the corner of Federal and E 3rd St in The Dalles. Blanket Drive donations benefit The Warming Place at 315 E. Third St., The Dalles.
Community members are encouraged to donate new or gently used and washed items such as warm blankets, socks, sleeping bags, tarps, tents, warm coats, hats, gloves, & personal care items such as travel-size soap and shampoo.
"This is the first year we were asked to add the need for sleeping bags/tarps/tents," said Tanya Wray, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for North Central Public Health District.
Wasco Co. MRC volunteers braving the cold in past years to collect donations for the blanket drive.
Wray estimated that last year they had received 211 donations. Including 115 blankets, 50 other warming items such as coats/hats/gloves, 45 pairs of socks, and a small box full of travel-size soap/shampoo/etc.
Wray said they hoped to receive at least as many donations as the previous year, and they would be happy to receive anything they could pass along to the Warming Shelter.
'Every year, I call the Warming Place, and they are just so grateful that we're willing to do this again, and all I can think is... I wish we could do more," said Wray. "Every single donation makes my heart happy."
"But I'm particularly moved by donors that craft blankets, whether it's quilts or sewn fleece blankets, or knitted hats/gloves, or even purchased blankets with a fun design or bright color…” she added. “I just think it's wonderful to think about someone receiving these blankets and feeling not only physically warm but also warmed on the inside by the donor's thoughtfulness!”
Wray also shared a memory of a thoughtful donor who didn't have a blanket but wanted to give.
"One year, a young man stopped to ask what we were doing, drove off, and came back to say that he thought it was such a great idea that he headed straight to the cash machine and asked us to go buy as many blankets as we could with his donation. So kind!" said Wray.
Everyone contributing a little can add up to a big difference.
"I always love the idea of everyone chipping in just a little to make a big difference, so if everyone that reads this stops by on Saturday, January 15th, with one or two blankets (or other warming items), together we'll be able to help so many."
