Project: Comfort and Joy collects 375 blankets for area departments
Project: Comfort & Joy was created in 2015 based on a discussion among friends about the need for warmth and comfort to people in need. A request was created for people to donate blankets.
During the first year, organizers donated 77 blankets and 125 Beanie Babies to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department and the Medford Police Department. In 2016 they donated 50 blankets to local law enforcement and Medford area nursing homes.
In 2017 we expanded our area from Medford and Gilman (collection locations of Peoples Choice Credit Union) to include the Clark County Area as they welcomed Abbyland Travel Center to join in. Kelly Uhlig and Nicky Nash joined the “vision” and together the project collected 154 blankets. In Taylor County, blankets were donated to local law enforcement, Medford Aspirus Care & Rehab, the Gilman Area Fire Department, Beds for Christ and Stepping Stones. In Clark County, they were donated to the Central Wisconsin Fire & EMS (serving Abbotsford, Colby and Dorchester), Clark County Social Services, Abbotsford / Colby Police Department, House of Mercy in Loyal, the Curtiss / Owen Fire and EMS and to an Abbyland employee that lost his home to a fire.
In 2018, the project collected 359 blankets. In Taylor County, blankets were donated to the Taylor County Human Services, Local Fire Departments, Stepping Stones and the Housing Authority. In Clark County, blankets were donated to Waterford Assistant Living Center in Colby, Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, Clark County Social Services, the Abbotsford/ Colby Police Department, Central Wisconsin Fire and EMS, Owen/Curtiss Fire & EMS and House of Mercy, Local.
The 2019 drive recently ended and was another successful year. A total of 375 blankets were collected. In Taylor County, they were donated to the Medford Fire Department, Gilman Fire/ Ambulance Departments, Hope Hospice, Christmas Wish, Stepping Stones, Taylor County Human Services, Taylor County Housing Authority and Our House Assisted Living. In Clark County, a donation was made to Clark County Health Care Center, Clark County Social Services and House of Mercy in Loyal. A future donation is being planned for the Taylor County Humane Society.
“This project would not be successful without the wonderful donations provided by our surrounding communities. We hope our project has helped many and look forward to an even better turn out in 2020,” said organizer Kerry Ellenbecker.
