advertisement

Aurora retired teachers donate 120 handmade blankets to local nursing homes

Even in retirement, Aurora-area educators can't escape homework.

At Gaslite Manor in Aurora, members of the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association gathered June 3, counted and bagged about 120 handmade blankets. The covers were donated to six nursing homes.

The occasion was the association's final membership luncheon before summer vacation.

Since 2007, AARTA members have handcrafted blankets at their homes for a project called "Warm Fuzzies."

Volunteers contribute labor and materials and deliver completed blankets.

Nursing homes scheduled to receive blankets were Batavia Rehabilitation Center, Batavia; and Jennings Terrace, Presence McAuley Manor, Symphony of Orchard Valley, The Grove of Fox Valley and Elmwood Terrace, all in Aurora.

Eva Balek of Aurora coordinated the project. She said volunteers will deliver blankets this summer.

About 30 Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association members contributed blankets. Pauline Thomas-Brown led all donors with 24 handmade covers.

Dick Schindel, retired East Aurora Unit District 131 teacher, is AARTA president. He said, "Eva Balek does a wonderful job of coordinating this huge undertaking. Each year we break the previous year's record for lap blankets made and distributed."

Founded in 1958, the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association includes about 370 members. Membership luncheons are held at 11:30 a.m. on the first Tuesdays of February, April, June, October and December.

For details, call (630) 921-1307.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.