Mater Christi first graders recently completed a heartwarming service project — handmade blankets gifted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Our first-grade students took the initiative to earn money for their project by doing extra chores at home. With the funds raised, they purchased fleece fabric from a local store and worked in pairs to cut and tie knots on each side of the blankets. Over two weeks, the students put their hearts and souls into creating these beautiful blankets.

The thought and care that went into their creation make these blankets even more remarkable. Several parents of our first-grade students work in the pediatric or NICU part of the hospital; some have even had first-hand experience of having a child in the NICU. Two parents coordinated a time with the NICU staff to meet our students in the hospital lobby to hand off the blankets.

The blankets will be given to families with babies in the NICU and perhaps draped over the incubators for added comfort. Each blanket recipient will also receive a personal note from the students, informing them of the special care that went into their creation.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ compassion and generosity. They have set an excellent example, and we hope this story will inspire others to take similar initiatives to spread kindness and love in our community. Many thanks to Ms. Macedonia and to all who participated in this special service project.