Page 27 - Flathead Beacon // 12.17.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
DECEMBER 17, 2014 4 Giving Back i 27
T he pace of Erin Grieco’s fifth- grade class isn’t always so frenetic, but when there are 60 blankets to make before the holidays, her students don’t waste
any time.
Their enthusiasm was on full display
on a recent afternoon in Grieco’s class- room at West Valley School in Kalispell, where the scene involved a whirling der- vish of 20 students, working in unison to frantically assemble the fleece blankets.
Divided into two groups, the stu- dents raced one another as they tried to become the first group to complete a blanket and tally their scores on the whiteboard.
When a blanket was complete, the winning group would hold it high by its fringe and wave it in the air.
But don’t let the students’ competi- tive energies detract from the altruistic nature of the blanket project.
When West Valley School’s 57 fifth- graders complete the project on Dec. 18, they’ll each have a fleece blanket, but they will not keep any of the cozy cover- lets for themselves.
Instead, they’ll pile into a bus and head to Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s nursing facility, the Brendan House, where the students will donate the blan- kets to the elderly residents who live there.
Grieco has been leading the blanket
“I just like seeing the expressions on their faces when we give them their blankets. They’re just so surprised and happy. It really adds to their holiday season.” Morgan Nicholson, student
My husband and I have recently required the services of a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation following hospitalization.
Although we are residents of Bigfork, we were unaware that Lake View Care Center has a Transitional Care Unit that offers both inpatient and out patient Physical/Occupational therapy. We have utilized those services on more than one occasion and have been very satisfied. It has been so convenient to have an accredited facility within our own community.
We would encourage anyone in need of such services to investigate what the facility offers.
We found everyone on the staff to be very kind, patient, cheerful and compassionate. The care provided is personalized for each individual (and family members).
We must also commend Bigfork QRU for their rapid response and competency. We have many reasons to feel safe and proud of what Bigfork offers!
Belton Chalet
Extraordinary Dining With Glacier Park Views
OPENING for WINTER SEASON Friday, December 19th
New Winter Menu & Newly Remolded Taproom Saturdays Live Music • Sundays Brunch visit website for complete music lineup
Sincerely,
BOB AND JUDY MESEROLL
1050 Grand Drive Bigfork, Montana
406.837.5041
Call Brent for a tour
WELCOV.COM
project every year for the last decade, having adopted it from another teacher who mentored her. She says the students savor the experience, counting it as a highlight of their fifth-grade experience.
“It’s kind of my baby now,” Grieco said. “We donate the blankets to differ- ent places, and this year we selected the Brendan House. The residents have no idea, and their faces just light up when we show up singing carols and handing out blankets. They’re so surprised.”
The students also each write a card to the resident that includes their name and address, “because they want to be able to thank us,” said 10-year-old Mor- gan Nicholson, who has done similar projects with her 4H Club.
“I just like seeing the expressions on their faces when we give them their blankets. They’re just so surprised and happy,” she said. “It really adds to their
Lake View Healthcare Community offers Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy by trained therapists in a comfortable setting.
holiday season.”
“It’s about giving instead of receiv-
ing,” said Ivee Phelps, 11. “This helps the community.”
The style of blanket the students are making are no-sew, double-layer, tied fleeces, creatively constructed by lay- ering two panels of fleece, then cutting strips along the edge and tying together the fringe.
“I thought we were going to have to stitch the blankets but we don’t,” Phelps said. “They’re really soft.”
Lucy Crowle, who moved to Montana from Australia in the third grade, still isn’t used to the cold winters, and says the cozy blankets make a big difference.
“I think it’s good because it keeps the people inside the Brendan House warm during the cold winter,” Crowle said. “These blankets are cozy. They’re soft because they’re made out of fleece and I
know when I’m at home I like to have a blanket.”
With Christmas music playing in the background, the two groups are in a dead heat in the blanket competition, having each assembled four blankets.
When Group 1 pulls ahead, Group 2 hurries to dispatch its next blanket with gusto, then notices that Group 1 had forgotten to tie together the frills of the blanket’s fringe; thus, an incomplete blanket, and a point is deducted from the board.
Grieco said she intends to continue the blanket project for a long time as a way to demonstrate the joy of giving to her future students.
“It’s rewarding to see how much hap- piness this brings to the students and to the residents who receive the blankets,” she said.
[email protected]
406-888-5000
beltonchalet.com
12575 Hwy 2 E., West Glacier
Hours:
Friday: 3pm Open Saturday: 3pm Open
Free Live Music - 7pm - 9pm Sunday Brunch - 10am - 2pm
The Historic