The Garrity children have found a creative way to help their cousin, Caitlin, and the children she works with as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia



The Garrity family is raising money to buy and make blankets, and they are taking donated blankets, either new or gently used, said Ann Garrity, the children's mother. They are looking for twin-size blankets, especially fleece and tie blankets, but will accept most blankets except afghans. So far, the Garrity family has received more than 60 blankets. The goal is to send a blanket for all 280 children taught by Caitlin. Money and blanket donations will be accepted through Dec. 1.

The Garrity children have found a creative way to help their cousin, Caitlin, and the children she works with as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia

Blankets for Namibia

Nov 21, 2006

La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

Nov. 21--ONALASKA, Wis. -- The Garrity children of Onalaska have found a creative way to help their cousin, Caitlin, and the children she works with in Namibia, Africa.

When the Garrity children -- Kelly, 12, Patrick, 10, Danny, 5, and Molly, 4 -- heard about the living conditions of the children their cousin helps as a member of the Peace Corps, they wanted to do something to help. The African children sleep on metal cots with no mattresses and no blankets.

During the cold season, temperatures drop to 30 degrees F, and the children sleep in their clothes and use their body heat to keep warm.

"When we heard that, we said why can't we send blankets to keep the children warm," said Patrick, a fifth-grader at Northern Hills Elementary School.

Patrick and Danny, a first-grader, made the blankets their special project at Northern Hills, and the entire Garrity family spread the word to the community.

The Garrity family is raising money to buy and make blankets, and they are taking donated blankets, either new or gently used, said Ann Garrity, the children's mother. They are looking for twin-size blankets, especially fleece and tie blankets, but will accept most blankets except afghans.

So far, the Garrity family has received more than 60 blankets. The goal is to send a blanket for all 280 children taught by Caitlin. Money and blanket donations will be accepted through Dec. 1.

Patrick said he and his family and other families have made tie blankets. High school students made a tie blanket with second- graders.

Ann said she plans to buy kits for tie blankets so children can learn to make their own blankets, too.

"This is some way we can kelp kids who need our help," Kelly said. "It's cool that my close friends offered to make tie blankets."

Danny added, "We wanted to help our cousin and her kids, and blankets are something they can use."

Patrick said he has convinced his friends and classmates to participate in the project.

"It's a way for my friends and classmates to step up and help kids who don't have something as simple as a blanket to keep themselves warm," he said.

The Garrity children keep track of their cousin's work on her blog. Caitlin, a 2001 La Crosse Aquinas graduate, is a teacher trainer in the Peace Corps.

Ann said Caitlin thought the blanket project was a great idea. Caitlin's mother, Sheila Garrity, hopes to take over some blankets when she visits her daughter, and the rest will be shipped.

"There is extreme poverty in Namibia, and a pencil is a huge thing," Ann said.

"We take stuff like blankets for granted.

"This has been a great family project, and we've involved our family and others in a global way," she said. "The unselfishness of Caitlin and her work in Namibia has taught our kids so many things, and it's teaching kids here that not all kids have as much as we have."

Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8227.

to help

WHAT: Blankets for children in Namibia, Africa

HOW TO DONATE: You can make a monetary donation or donate new or gently used blankets by taking them to Nothern Hills Elementary School in Onalaska, Wis., or by calling (608) 781-8026.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2006; COS - Namibia; Service; Wisconsin

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