Local elected officials from Westchester and the Bronx joined the Youth Service Opportunity Project and the Remington Boys & Girls Club to hand out blankets made by community members to New Rochelle children
The Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) held its bi-annual blanket distribution on Wednesday, September 30, at the Remington Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. YSOP staff and volunteers gave more than 100 handmade blankets to children in kindergarten through fourth grade who attend after-school programming at the clubhouse.
Every blanket was made by hand through YSOP’s intergenerational programming, which brings young people and seniors together across Westchester County to work side by side on service projects. Over recent months, participants of all ages have met to make the blankets, building friendships across generations while making something warm for children in their own community.
“It is events like these that make me remember why we do this work,” said Liza Estony, YSOP Connex Facilitator. “One by one the kids got to pick from a huge stack of colorful blankets and pick out their favorite. Seeing the look of joy on their faces, as well as the volunteers that helped pull all of this together was heartwarming.”
U.S. Congressman George Latimer, New York State Senator Natalia Fernandez and Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements joined YSOP staff, volunteers and community members for the event. Together, they handed out the blankets one by one as children picked their favorites and wrapped up just as cooler fall weather begins to settle in.
Congressman George Latimer said “By bringing together seniors and young people for a greater cause, the Youth Service Opportunities Project and Remington Boys and Girls Club showed the true positive impact of community. Local seniors and students bonded over making handmade blankets, demonstrating how communities can become stronger through service. I am grateful to have seen this firsthand, and look forward to seeing the incredible work ahead through YSOP’s intergenerational programming.”
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said “Nothing says community like neighbors coming together to care for one another. I am incredibly grateful to the Pelham seniors who put their time and talent into handweaving these beautiful blankets, and to Legislator Terry Clements, YSOP, and the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle for helping make this giveaway possible. Thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing a little extra warmth and comfort to our neighbors this fall.”
“It mattered that the children were led by the hand towards a group of smiling faces where they could choose their favorite color or pattern from tables piled high with fluffy blankets lovingly handmade by Seniors in our community,” said Anna Carolina, Resource Development Manager at the Remington Boys and Girls Club. “The blanket distribution connected multiple generations in our Remington Clubhouse. It was delightful to see how the YSOP team and Senior blanket-makers asked us questions and engaged every child in conversation and smiles.”
YSOP holds the distribution twice a year, and every blanket made in its intergenerational programs goes to children in need in Westchester County.