Imagine another sleepless night, shivering in a cold bed without a clean, warm blanket.
Some people in the community will go to bed tonight without the basic warmth and comfort of a blanket and it will affect their ability to work, learn, and stay healthy.
MONONA — Some of the best ideas come from prayer. When we really listen and open our ears, mind, and heart to God, his message can bring us closer to him and help others.
This very thing happened recently for nine-year-old Lucia Matenaer.
After nightly family prayers during Christmas break, she excitedly ran to her parents with an idea.
MADISON — On a cold night, not much beats a warm blanket.
Each year, thousands of generous donors search their linen closets, wallets, and hearts to supply the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with new and gently used blankets for Dane County people facing hard times.
The society’s “Recycle the Warmth” Blanket Drive, held on the last full weekend in January, will offer the community its 23rd annual opportunity to offer such comfort for local households in need.
The society’s blanket drive annually collects donations of several thousand new and gently used blankets, as well as other bedding, that St. Vincent de Paul then gives away all year long to low-income households lacking these items.
MADISON — Annually for 22 years, thousands of generous donors have searched their closets, wallets, and purses to provide the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with the resources to give gently used and new blankets to Dane County people in need.
The society’s annual “Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive” — long held on January’s last full weekend — will once again offer the community an opportunity to share some practical comfort with local families struggling with poverty.
MADISON — St. Dennis School in Madison recently held its annual food drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.
This year, donations were also collected for victims of the typhoon in the Philippines (several school families have relatives there), including food, clothing, flashlights, toiletries, batteries, and soap.
Principal Matt Beisser set a goal of 4,000 items to be donated during the two-week drive.
MADISON — Blessed Sacrament School recently held a blood drive in honor of one of its students diagnosed with leukemia for a second time.
The first blood drive in honor of fourth-grader Nora Williamson was held in November of last year.
Former Blessed Sacrament student and current Edgewood High School student Kevin Thomas organized the blood drive.
Thomas has been volunteering with the Red Cross since he was 14. About a year ago, he met Nora and learned she had leukemia.
Q My mother has Macular Degeneration and some other health conditions. She lives independently and has been able to manage her own affairs and care without my help.
On a recent visit I was shocked to learn just how limited her vision is. She admitted her vision has been slowly getting worse over the last few months.
The problem is she insists on driving. She says she only goes out in the day time and only drives before or after the rush hour. She also stays off busy streets.
