Rotary “Happiness is a Warm Blanket”

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Happiness is aWarm Blanket initiative is sponsored by Rotary club of Muncie, a catalyst for community leadership, professional development, friendships, service and international understanding. The goal is to provide those community members living in Delaware County with a warm blanket and began with a fund raiser in March that generated over $15,000. Thanks to Jim Davis, the creator of the Garfield character for allowing us to feature Garfield and Pooky as our icons for this initiative.

The Rotary Club of Muncie is working with the United Way of Delaware County as well as additional community organizations to provide a blanket tothoseindividuals in need. To date,30 organizations have responded and requested over 4,000 blankets. In fact,we only have 2,400 blankets at this time.Therefore,with winter approaching,we are reaching out to the communityin a number of ways that you can help.

1. On Tuesday, Nov. 25th Ball State University is teaming up with Muncie Rotarians to hold the “Happiness is a Warm Blanket” drive as a part of the last home game-day festivities. For the donation of a new blanket, Ball State is providing free admission to the football game against Western Michigan at 6:00 pm at Scheumann Stadium. Look for the Rotary Happiness is a Warm Blanket banners in the grass area in front of the football complex, next to Gate 4, starting at4 p.m. on gameday.This is a good way for the community to support our winning football program and those in the community who need our help. http://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14200&ATCLID=1628367

2.Those unable to attend the game are still welcome to donate a blanketat the Minnetrista Cultural Center.With a new blanket donation you will receive a one-day family pass to Minnetrista Cultural Center (expires 12/31/08).Thanks to all that have dropped off a blankets todateto Minnetrista.

3. To raise additional funds to meet agency requests, Rotary is selling fleece throws packaged in an environmentally friendly, zippered tote bag at a cost of $30. Both the throw and the tote bag feature a fabulous Garfield design. 100% of the profits from the sale of this throw will allow for Rotary to purchase additional blankets to distribute to those in need and to also support the 2009 efforts.Consider purchasing as gifts for your kids, grandkids, friends, gifts for your employees and/or for yourself. See any member of the Muncie Noon Rotary club for details or visit www.muncierotary.org and click “contact us”.

4. If you are unable to attend the game, but would like to support the program, you may still bring a blanket to Minnetrista or you may send a donation to Rotary Club of Muncie – P.O. Box 1033, Muncie, IN 47308 and indicate that it is for “Happiness is a Warm Blanket”.

On Monday, October20, as a part of Rotary’s “Happiness is a Warm Blanket” program, Rotarians made their first delivery of blankets. Muncie Mission representative, Pat Jones, was on hand at the Muncie Mission Headquarters on south Liberty to take the delivery of 98 of the requested 4,000 blankets that Rotary Club of Muncie is making available during this coming winter.

We are working with a number of churches that are holding blanket drives as well as businesses that are displaying counter cards and order forms for the Garfield blanket. There has been an overwhelming response from our community to embrace this initiative and we are very much appreciative for their support.

Organizations receiving blankets: A Better Way Services, Apple Tree YMCA Child Development Center, Blood-n-Fire, Bridges Community Services, Christian Ministries, Christian Women’s Fellowship Food Pantry, Community Baptist Food Pantry, Covenant Partner Ministries, Friends Church Food Pantry, Gateway Health Clinic, Guardian Scholars, Harvest Soup Kitchen, Head Start ACTION, Hillcroft Services, Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, In His Name Food Pantry, Mental Health America, Muncie Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, Muncie Delaware County Senior Citizens Center, Muncie Mission, Open Door/BMH Health Center, Precious Hearts Development Center, Ross Community Center, Roy C. Buley Community Center Club, Salvation Army, Selma United Methodist Church, United Day Care Center, YWCA

Thanks to the following sponsors: First Merchants Bank, First Merchants Insurance Services, First Merchants Trust Company, Indiana Trust & Investment Management Company, Meridian Services, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie Power Products, Paws, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Sam Pierce Chevrolet, The Star Press, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, Wachovia Securities

Thanks to the following retailers: JC Penney Department Store, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Meijer, Target, Wal-Mart North, and Wal-Mart South.