BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose is a joint outreach program of the Auburn University Social Work Program in the College of Liberal Arts and First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. The mission of BCPP is to provide a place where individuals with disabilities are offered comprehensive opportunities for continued growth in the areas of health and fitness, academia, life and job skills, community outreach, and creative arts exploration. It creates a place that is sensitive to the need for safety, the importance of belonging, the benefit of consistent daily routine and creates a purpose for those who would otherwise be excluded from full participation in the adult community. The purpose of the blanket drive is to build community through a partnership with BCPP to provide blankets to those facing cold days and nights, who are sick, elderly, and with limited financial resources.
Lynn McLane, a retiree from California and OLLI member, donated two boxes of handmade crocheted blankets to the blanket drive. While isolated in her home during the pandemic, Lynn did not have much to do so she started crocheting blankets, the more she was in the house, the more she crocheted. As she says, “I got obsessed with crocheting.” While crocheting, she knew that she wanted to give the blankets to someone for a good cause but was not sure who she would give them to. So, when Scott Bishop, Director for OLLI, informed the participates in OLLI about the drive, she knew that they would go to a good cause. Lynn did not hesitate to deliver the blankets to OLLI. While Lynn is waiting for the next semester of course offerings for OLLI, she is currently crocheting baby blankets and embroidering towels. When Lynn is not sewing or crocheting, she enjoys baking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
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