Vance children ‘Make a Difference’ in veterans’ lives

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Little hands were hard at work last week at Vance Youth Center to warm the hearts of 109 veterans by making lap blankets for Make a Difference Day 2007. 

The children wanted to make a difference for those who served the country as their parents do each day, said Kim Winfield, School Age Program coordinator. 

"Our children learn the joy of helping others," said Ms. Winfield, who has worked with children for 28 years. "We wanted to do something that would reflect and be a part of our children." 

With weather temperatures dipping lower, the children and youth center staff members wanted to create gifts to warm the hearts of American veterans. 

"The children wanted to do something for the military, since we are part of a military community," she explained. "Originally, we talked about making lap quilts for the veterans to distribute during the holiday season, but we moved the project up to Make a Difference Day instead." 

A call to a local fabric store resulted in an unexpected gesture of kindness. 

"I explained the project to the owner of a fabric store in Alva, Okla., and she gave us 12 bolts of polar fleece for lap blankets," said Kat Betchan, youth center registrar. "It was really nice of her to donate the material for the project." 

Once the youth center staff members cut the fabric into squares, the children got to work cutting the ends to make fringe. When each blanket was completed, it was rolled with a certificate honoring the veterans and tied with a ribbon. 

"It's good to help people," said 6-year-old Macy VanKirk, daughter of Amanda and Master Sgt. Mike Finnegan, 71st Flying Training Wing aircraft maintenance quality assurance evaluator. "I'm glad I can help them feel better because of the blankets." 

Ms. Betchan was glad to see the children get involved in the project since her father, Ken Anderson with Computer Sciences Corporation, is an Air Force veteran. 

"The children enjoyed taking part in the project. It really means a lot to the veterans knowing the children care," she said. "I hope the children will continue to help people in the future and also inspire others to do projects as well." 

Staff members and children delivered the blankets Oct. 27 to the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. They began handing out quilts to less critical to severe-needs patients and were later allowed to go into the intensive care units to give the gifts, Ms. Winfield said. 

"The staff members at the VA hospital were just as touched as the patients. The staff had the blankets covering many of the critical and unresponsive patients before we left the rooms," she said. "Although some patients were unresponsive, the staff members said the patients were aware of the gifts. They may not be able to see the blankets, but they could experience the smell and the softness. One gentleman in the ICU had a head injury and was unable to verbally communicate. However, we could tell by the way he held the blanket and his smile, that he loved it." 

Make a difference day is an annual event created by USA Weekend Magazine. People of any age can help carry out a volunteer event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.