Blankets of Love Eagle Scout Project

David Paus delivers to Anthony Stachnik 40 fleece blankets for the cardiac intensive care unit at University Hospital in Cleveland, also pictured Matthew Paus helped with the delivery. 

Boy scouts working toward the rank of Eagle Scout must do what is called an Eagle Scout Service Project.  These service projects must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts.  Often local churches or community groups are the beneficiary.  David Paus a senior at Villa Angela- St. Joseph H.S. and a member of Troop 54 at Ss. Robert & Willam Parish chose for his project to make paliative care blankets for cardiac patients at University Hospitals of Cleveland.

The blankets often referred to as "Blankets of Love"  more personal than the standard institutional type hospital blanket provide additional warmth for patients. The blankets are needed because heart patients with all the medications that they take and in their compromised condition have a difficult time keeping warm.  The hand made blankets with their color and personal touch in a small way aid in caring for the patient. 

David's project involved raising over $500.00 for the purchase of about 160 yards of fleece material.  The blankets, are a double thick fleece that is tied aroud the perimeter.  Anthony Stachnik an R.N. at University Hospitals Cardiac Intensive Care Unit who helped make this project possible states, sadly the need never ends.  During the cold weather months they can go through as many as 50 blankets in two months.  Also, upon a patients passing the blanket goes to a patients family. The blankets become cheerished keepsakes and rememberances.  When contributions and supply gets low, hospital staff all pitch in and have "tying parties" to restock. 

Donations from many sources also made the project possible.  A large donation from Ss. Robert & William Parish, and the cardiac intensive care unit themselves, friends, family, and many others.  So often when people heard of the project, David did'nt even have to ask. Many generously donated without any hesitation.