Camper club donates blankets
Staff writer
Marion firefighters got a warm donation Friday to help them help families.
Members of Kansas Sunflower Ramblers chapter of Holiday Ramblers RV Club gave the fire department three fleece throws.
The throws, with finished edges, feature a wildlife and mountain pattern, a dogs and cats pattern, and a montage of colorful hedgehogs.
Teresa Bachman, this month’s host for the chapter’s camping weekend, said the chapter had made blankets every year for 20 years as a way of expressing thanks and love for communities they visit during their April to November excursions.
“They’re a comfort thing,” Bachman said. “Children in stress have got their own little blankets they can hold onto. It’s comforting and it’s warm.”
Typically made during November campouts, blankets are donated every month to an organization that works for the good of families, children, and special groups.
“We give three blankets each to fire departments, child-service groups, nursing homes, and veterans’ homes,” Bachman said. “We do that each month wherever we camp.”
That month’s host, who arranges the group’s weekend camping trip, selects the recipient organization.
Marion Fire Chief Chris Killough said the department might give the blankets to a family whose house has burned or suffered some other loss.
“I appreciate them,” Killough said. “I believe they will be well used by someone in need.”
Bachman contacted the city two weeks ago, and Killough called her back. She brought the blankets Friday.
The Sunflower chapter consists of 30 members. At a national rally, it was announced as the fastest-growing chapter nationwide.
Most often, the monthly host makes reservations for 15 campsites.
“Marion County Lake doesn’t take reservations,” Bachman said. “We like Marion for our November campouts.”
Other places the chapter likes to go include Kanopolis Lake, Fort Harker and Mushroom Rocks, Clinton Lake near Lawrence, and El Dorado Lake.
“We’ve been lots of places,” she said.
The group tours area attractions while there.