St. Mary School students in grades 7 through 12 and volunteers participated in the annual Christian service projects Blanket of Hope and Little Dresses for Africa.
Blankets of Hope was founded in 1994 by Jozell Rexroat and Shirley Garthe, St. Mary parishioners. Little Dresses for Africa, a Christian non-profit, was founded in 2008.
The St. Mary Church Social Hall was a busy sewing center on Feb. 18 and 19.
Stations were set up for measuring, cutting, pinning, ironing, turning and sewing. Sewing continues after the event as volunteers work at home throughout the year to further these two ministries.
Blankets are constructed by students and volunteers and are sent to countries around the world. Blankets are also given to local organizations including the Leelanau Baby Pantry and Thrive in Traverse City. Little Dresses for Africa encompasses dresses, hats, fleece blankets, shorts and personal care items which are constructed by volunteers and sent to various countries in Africa.
In 2024, students and volunteers constructed over 1,140 blankets and personal care items; 100 pair of underwear, 75 pair of shorts and 35 hats for these two ministries.
An additional 300 pairs of underwear were donated as well as funding for shipping the items overseas.
