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.
How to donateFrom 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24, St. Vincent de Paul volunteers will staff Recycle the Warmth collection points at the three Madison-area Shopko stores.
For this drive, Shopko will offer a blanket at an attractive sale price to maximize donor buying power for those who would like to contribute new items.
Blankets and other bedding will also be collected at Dane County’s seven St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores.
At least 44 local religious congregations plan to take part in the drive at their places of worship on Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25. Donors may contact St. Vincent de Paul at 608-442-7200 for participating locations. During the week prior to the drive, congregations taking part will also be listed on the St. Vincent de Paul website at: svdpmadison.org/recyclewarmth.html
Need for bedding
“Lack of blankets and bedding remains one of the most common experiences our members bring back from visits with households requesting our help,” said Ralph Middlecamp, executive director of the society’s District Council of Madison.
“When you donate to St. Vincent de Paul through this drive, you express in a very practical way our community’s care for some of our most-vulnerable neighbors.”
Middlecamp said that for health, performance at school or work, and general well-being, the warmth and comfort of a good night’s sleep matter a great deal to the people his organization serves. St. Vincent de Paul typically provides three to five blankets for each member of a household when the society encounters this need.
“Donor generosity during our Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive allows us to meet this need year-round,” Middlecamp said.
The drive annually collects new and gently used blankets, comforters, sheets, pillowcases, and sleeping bags.
Tax-deductible donations of money are welcome and will help buy blankets and bedding for people in need. Checks may be made payable to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and sent to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul-RTW, P.O. Box 259686, Madison, WI 53725-9686.
All aid offered by the society is provided without regard to the religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity of those assisted.