‘Special’ delivery

4-H’ers make blankets, pillowcases for patients at Avera Marshall

MARSHALL -- This winter, a group of Lyon County youth worked to help make hospital visits more comfortable for both kids and adults in the area.

On Tuesday, they brought their finished work -- colorful blankets and pillowcases -- to Avera Marshall Medical Center.

Members of the Stanley Busy Beavers 4-H Club finished about 13 tie blankets and a stack of pillowcases, by working together before a January club meeting.

"It was super busy, but we got a lot done," said club member Annabel Coudron.

Club members said the blankets will be given to patients getting treated at the Avera Cancer Institute in Marshall. Meanwhile, the pillowcases will be given to pediatric patients staying at the hospital. They can help brighten up a child's hospital room, club members said. Kids can then take their pillowcases home with them when they are discharged from the hospital.

"So it's extra special," one 4-H member said Tuesday.

Coudron and fellow club member Shanna Boerboom said the Busy Beavers had made tie blankets for the Cancer Institute in the past, but the pillowcases were a new addition to the project.

"Our officers went to Walmart and got supplies for the club," Coudron said.

In addition to picking up fabric and supplies for making blankets, they also picked out coloring books and activities to go with the children's pillowcases.

Then, club members met before a regular 4-H meeting last month to do the actual tying and sewing for the project.

"Everyone chose either a pillow or a blanket," Coudron said. The 4-H members making pillowcases helped iron pieces of fabric and pin them, before they were sewn together using a sewing machine. Parents and older club members assisted younger members with the projects.

The next step was to bring the blankets, pillowcases and activities to Avera Marshall. The kids were met by Avera Marshall leaders and staff, and together they unpacked the special delivery.