Washington County residents Laura and Samantha Zoeller share with us a heart-warming story about family, love and honor. “My mother fought Polycystic Kidney Disease for her entire adult life. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August 2013 and lost her battle with the disease not long after,” Laura says. When Laura’s mother passed on, her daughter Samantha wanted her senior project to honor the memory of her grandmother. “I remembered my grandma saying she was always cold during treatments,” Samantha says, “and that led me to make and gather homemade lap blankets to distribute to kidney patients.” Samantha shares, “It is my hope that, one blanket at a time, I can give someone else the comfort I always found on my grandma’s lap.” And so, the Grandma’s Lap project began. What was meant to simply be a senior project was so successful that it has expanded into a nationwide project.
“We have a network of dozens of blanket makers who crochet, quilt, knit, and make no-sew fleece blankets specifically for this cause,” Laura says. “We are in constant need of new blanket makers. Blanket making parties are excellent service projects and no-sew fleece blankets can be made pretty quickly. We’ve gone into special needs classrooms in both Washington and Greene counties where students have participated in making blankets as well. We also partner with assisted/independent living facilities to have blankets made during activity times.” Samantha adds, “We are always looking for new clinics and other groups to work with. Gift cards to fabric/yarn stores, businesses that offer office supplies, and monetary donations to offset shipping costs are always greatly appreciated.”
This all-volunteer organization, while not a 501(c)3, uses 100% of every donated dollar to make, package, and ship blankets all over the United States, shipping as far west as Missouri and as far south as Georgia. “We wash, dry, and package every blanket with an informational card and a cutout heart that informs the recipient who made the blanket for them, and that it is in memory of Shelva Mitchell Mansberry, my mom,” Laura adds. Since the program started seven years ago, nearly 4000 blankets have been donated. Mom and I could not have made this project go as far as it already has without the hard work and generosity of everyone who has donated to our cause.”
“The most fulfilling thing about this program are the cards and letters we receive from patients who tell us that we brightened their day. The occasional photo of a patient or staff member that we receive is pretty cool, too,” Laura says. Samantha adds, “Being able to spread some joy during a time of discomfort makes me feel like I’m continuing the joy and love my grandmother showed me while she was here with us.”
“This has come so much further than I think either of us was expecting,” says Samantha, “and I can’t wait to see what the next seven years will hold.
If you would like to make a donation, or if you know someone who could benefit from a blanket, please contact Laura and Samantha at: (724) 228-5053, zoeller5@verizon.net, http://zoeller5.wixsite.com/grandmaslap or visit their FB page @lapblanket.