Pediatric patients at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown will soon be a bit cozier thanks to the needlepoint efforts of MGH Institute students who took time out of their busy classes schedules on Monday to create a dozen fleece blankets. 

The second annual I-CARES (IHP’s Children’s Advocacy, Research, Education and Service club) blanket making event in Shouse attracted 20 students from the nursing, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs. The dozen blankets, which were created by cutting a fringe around the ends and tying double knots, will be delivered to children at Spaulding on November 24. 

Rebecca Butler, I-CARES president, called the successful effort a team effort that was fueled by efforts from Simone Gamble, Emily Pickard, Jessica Brinser, Brendamaria Cuadra-Arguello, and Haylie Santos. 

The fabric was purchased with funding from the Office of Student Affairs and Services. 

“The ICARES club had a great turnout for our blanket making event this Monday!” said Butler. “Last year when we hosted this event, we had a great time so I'm so proud of our entire executive board  for working so hard to make sure that this event could happen again this year. The blankets turned out beautifully and we can't wait to deliver them to the patients at Spaulding in just a few weeks!"

Two women hold a blanket between them
Physician Assistant students Audrey Bachman (r) and Leah Scheidemantel show off their finished blanket.