Last week, the Disney BlanketEARs worked together to knit and crochet items to various charitable organizations in and around Central Florida. The BlanketEARS, founded in 2007, started small – once a week, they would get together and knit caps for military personnel deployed overseas.
Throughout the years, the BlanketEARs have expanded greatly and now stitch together a variety of items such as baby caps, pet mats and blankets. Once a month, the organization meets to work on several projects as well as learn a new skill in order to be more effective in their community.
During the last holiday season, the group stitched more than 150 caps and blankets to donate to local Orlando area hospitals.
Says Alexsandra Rosello, a coordinator at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute:
The thought of someone personally creating items makes patients feel cared for and blessed. It means a lot because the Disney BlanketEARs took the time to make something that can bring joy and comfort.
Disney Cast Member Kelly Ann Antalek, who was inspired to start the BlanketEARs in Florida after learning of a similar organization in California, says her motivation is simple. As Antalek puts it, “the more I crochet, the more I can donate to people in need.”
The group eventually hopes to expand enough to provide additional products to those in need, including scarves and and wheelchair totes.
