For those volunteers taking the bus to Washington DC from Carlisle, Pennsylvania here important details and times you will want to be aware of:

Bus from Carlisle Departure Schedule

6:00 am - Volunteers will be loading the bus arrive - those not assigned to load can just remain out of the way

6:30 am - If you were previously unable to take a Covid test, we will provide testing.

6:45 am - bus riders should be on site for bus boarding

7:00 am bus will depart

Many thanks go out to Melissa at Wolf's charter bus company for the patience in getting security information for the trip, and to the Washington DC Capitol Police for providing helpful information for out visit.

If you are meeting us in Washington DC, we have provided a map of the Capitol Grounds to help you plan your route. We will begin assembling the blanket at 9:00 am if you are volunteering to help, but we welcome all visitors to view the completed display from noon-9:00 pm. We will be in area 15 on the map that you can download using the link below. You can also access our commuter recommendations if you will be using public transportation in Washington DC.

Opportunities to help with the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project abound while in Washington DC. Throughout the day, we will be looking for help for the following tasks:

Ground Preparation

Carrying / Moving Blankets during commissioning

Laying out blankets

Laying out Candles

Runners to Support the Pod Cast

Staff the table(s)

Picking Up / Folding Blankets

Picking up Candles

Moving / Carrying Blankets after decommissioning

If you are available to assist with any of these tasks, give us a visit at the information table available on site.

Regardless of your ability to help us with any of these roles, we do want you to enjoy the display, and we offer these important pieces of advice for the day. First, dress in layers - although the current forecast is for a partly sunny day, the low is still expected to be around 25 degrees and the high 45. Second, if you plan to stick around for the entire event, bring along an extra cell phone battery pack. We want you to be able to get many pictures that you can then share at #memorial blanket!

Sadly, one of the largest groups among the unhoused are military veterans. In recognition of those veterans, the Lebanon County Commission to End Homelessness gave 38 military-themed quilts to the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project to display in Washington DC on Wednesday.

Bipartisan and bicameral support came to us shortly after the blanket preview event at the National Cathedral, and we have the coverage at #memorialblanket. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine both voiced their support of the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project. You can watch both messages by clicking the links to YouTube provided below. Better yet, since both houses of congress will be in session during our December 21st event, call your congressperson using the contact links below to encourage them to come visit the blanket.

An event as large and vital as the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project requires meticulous planning, but how beautiful when it all comes together. Visitors to the dress rehearsal were greeted by clear skies as they admired a condensed display of blankets at the National Cathedral on Wednesday, December 14...exactly one week before the Capitol Lawn blanket unveiling.