A-Plus Caring, Community & Compassion kicks off annual blanket drive

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - A-Plus Caring, Community & Compassion has kicked off its annual blanket drive for seniors, and will be accepting lap blankets up to December 1.

This year’s beneficiary will be the Lovelighters who meet the first and third Tuesday in The Woodlands at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. (See related link at Where the Love Light Gleams.)

For seven years A-Plus Caring, Community & Compassion has been collecting blankets for seniors, and distributing them to different senior organizations, with their “Blanket the Community” project.

“We rotate the distribution around in the county, so that seniors get a new blanket periodically,” said Carolyn Gerken, the founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization. “Lap blankets are used daily during the cold months, so they don’t weather the test of time. It’s a gift that’s not only appreciated, but essential.”

Although bed blankets will also be accepted, lap blankets tend to wear out faster. The community can drop off blankets daily, in the west area of The Woodlands at the office of Woodlands Online located at 33300 Egypt Lane, Suite B 500, between Research Forest and FM 1488. Or blankets can be dropped off on December 1, at St. Simon and Jude, where the Lovelighters will be congregating.

“In past years, we’ve had people donate quilts; they've bought the felt and made the blankets. I’ve crocheted lap blankets; we’ll take anything,” said Gerken. “Last year we added winter scarves to the drive, so If people want to donate winter scarves, we’ll see that those get distributed, too.”

There’s nothing that will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling like providing a warm blanket to someone who is cold-natured, which tends to occur with age. It will certainly provide a senior in the community with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

For more information about A-Plus Caring, Community & Compassion, visit and “Like” their Facebook page.