Kittanning High School Students Offer Warm Gifts to the Needy

A group of Mary Jane Crownover's ninth-grade students at Kittanning High School were involved in making the blankets. for needy families in our area.

by Nathan Lasher

Kittanning High School Family/Consumer Science teacher Mary Jane Crownover and a group of her ninth-grade students created 42 blankets which they intend to donate to needy people in the area.

“The blankets are made out of fleece, and they fit a double size bed,” said Crownover. “The colors and patterns were completely created by the students.”

Crownover and her students were able to manufacture the blankets during a two-day project provided through an ARIN Intermediate Unit homeless project. The project occurred during Crownover’s classes on Friday, January 29 and Monday, February 1.

“It took us two days to complete the project,” said Crownover. “Over the course of seven periods, a total of roughly 140 students worked on the blankets. Some of the blankets will be distributed in Armstrong County based on need. So far, some have been given to fire victims; one was given to a little boy who had surgery on both his legs; one went to a young woman with a brain tumor; others went to homeless people in Kittanning. We are compiling a list. My students are allowed to come in and say that they know someone with an issue. In the end, we will select who has the greatest need.”

Two ARIN representatives, Maureen Bourke and Robin Fiedler will come to KSHS after school on Monday to pick up the blankets that are left over for distribution to the needy.

“The PA Homeless Children’s Initiative (HCI) Program helps to make sure that any and all homeless students receive the services they’re entitled to,” said Bourke. “Some examples include free breakfast and lunch at school, transportation to the school where they attend, and helping to provide necessary school supplies. My co-worker, Regional Coordinator Andrea Sheesley, and I work with all of the school districts in each county as well as all of the shelters, including domestic violence, emergency shelters, and others in each county. Andrea came up with the idea of the blanket project last year and it was so successful that she wanted to try it again this year. I’m happy to say it’s become even more popular this year.”

Students were not only able to sharpen their blanket-making skills during this project; they also learned a few things about becoming involved in their community. “I thought the program was fantastic,” said Crownover. “I used to work through the homeless program myself, and I really think it was helpful to the students to be involved in something that went beyond the doors at Kittanning High School. It raised the consciousness of basic needs. That’s one of the first things we try to teach in ninth grade.”

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