Central Iowa Veterans tie blankets for Iowans in need

Des Moines, Iowa – Ben Kaplan of KCCI reports that Central Iowa Veterans are providing warm and comforting gifts to people in need. Because of Beaverdale VFW Auxiliary 9127, dozens of Iowans are a little more at ease. For the elderly residents of Calvin Community, the crew is making tie blankets.

Longtime Auxiliary member Diane Hooten stated, “I enjoy doing things like this.”
Easterseals Iowa will also receive some of the blankets.

According to Allison Piazza, chief development officer for Easterseals Iowa, “we do give tie blankets to some of the kids that come through our crisis stabilization program.” “It’s a good comfort item to give them when they’re going through a scary period in their lives.”

Due to the Auxiliary’s nearly 60-year-old partnership with the groups, the blankets will also be distributed to veterans and people with disabilities.

“While looking through scrapbooks, I discovered that we once collaborated with Camp Sunnyside,” recalled Emily Steele, a former Auxiliary president.

At the camp now operated by Easterseals Iowa, Steele’s grandfather served as a director. Steele is giving back today.

“I feel like crying,” Steele explained. “Knowing that they are going to a place where they will be valued is really heartwarming.”

A tag stating that their friends from VFW Auxiliary 9127 are thinking of them is attached to each blanket.

Each tie blanket connects those who care about Iowans in need.