Handmade blankets at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital help patients and families

Every day our volunteers at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital make a difference in our community. One way that they do it is by donating handmade blankets to our patients and their families. They provide blankets for varying situations which include fidget blankets, baby blankets, and prayer/grief blankets.

Jan Lee has been a volunteer for 40 years. In March of 2022, Jan, along with a few other volunteers, started making fidget blankets. These fidget blankets are given to patients who can benefit from having something to occupy their hands during their stay.

"I feel gratified that I could somehow help the patients. Making fidget blankets at home is one way that I can still help the patients, and I love to create different patterns of blankets," said Jan.

Jan also works with a group of volunteers who donate beautiful baby blankets to newborns and their families. These baby blankets make the cherished moments of welcoming a child into the world even more special.

The prayer/grief blankets are used for those patients and families who are in need of comfort care. Healthcare is not just about medical care it is also about compassion and these blankets are certainly a part of the healing process.

"So often the patients and families feel a sense of emotional/spiritual warmth when receiving a prayer/grief blanket. It offers encouragement for those who are seeking healing and wellbeing as well as comfort and peace for those who are facing death. Often times patient’s families and loved ones will help place the prayer/grief blanket upon the patient – symbolizing their love,” say Vance Midgett, Chaplain.

Ruby Fisher has been making blankets along with pocket hugs, walker baskets, and numerous other items for our patients for approximately 8 years. Ruby is well known here for her prayer/grief blankets, they make a tremendous impact on our patients and families as they deal with difficult situations. Ruby tells us, "This is a wonderful program and I do it because it is a way that I can help others.”

We appreciate Ruby and Jan along with all the other volunteers who dedicate their time and effort in creating these wonderful blankets and additional support items for our patients and their families! We are so thankful to have such amazing volunteers in our community!

If you have any interest in becoming a volunteer and helping with these programs or others that we offer, please contact Leigh Moore at 434-517-3422.