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Students Share Warmth Of Giving

Tribune photo by ANDY JONES

Brittany Evers, 14, sews a heart shape onto a blanket she made in Family and Consumer Science class at Chasco Middle School. Evers and other 8th graders made the blankets for donation to the Pasco Homeless Coalition.

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 18, 2008

Driving to work each day, Chasco Middle School teacher Sue Evanoski often sees homeless people walking along State Road 52.

"They're constantly there, and they need help," the family and consumer sciences teacher said. "I wonder, 'Where do they go? What do they have?'"

Those morning drives led Evanoski to approach her eighth-grade class with the idea of making blankets for the homeless.

"I told them that some of them don't have as much as others, and it's our responsibility to do what we can for those who don't have as much," she said.

"They thought it was an awesome concept."

The class made and decorated 35 fleece blankets to donate to the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County. The coalition's president, Trish Kley, visited the school Thursday to collect the blankets.

They're needed, she says.

"We're seeing a huge increase in families who need our services at an alarming rate," Kley said.

The blankets will go to the Gulf Coast Women and Children's Shelter, Daystar Hope Center, the Salvation Army Center of Hope and churches that serve the homeless.

"I think the blankets will especially be helpful to the children who come into these places," Kley said. "The blankets will be there for them, to bring them comfort when they've lost everything."

The kids individualized their blankets, adding hearts, American flags and patterns that ranged from pastels to plaid to leopard prints.

The students' inspirations were as individualized as their designs.

"I'm constantly seeing homeless people by the side of the road begging, and it's heartbreaking," said Jessica Pew, 15. "I believe that making a difference is helping people, not sitting around waiting for other people to help."

Jessica created a blue blanket with flowers.

"I thought it would be nice for a girl, so they'll have something," she said.

Starlite Connolly, 15, also felt good about her blanket.

"When I see homeless people, it gives me a different perspective and makes me appreciate what I have," she said.

School media specialist Bunnie McCormack said such projects are more than arts and crafts.

"I think we should always strive to expand the students' consciousness," she said. "They can expand their perspective by helping someone else."

To help with future projects, Evanoski is welcoming donations of sewing materials, mats, tools and cash. Call Chasco bookkeeper Tom Jacobson at (727) 774-1300.

Keyword: Blankets,

for Homeless, to see more photos.

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