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Handmade blankets warm hearts

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Vicki Cripe of Edgewood has donated an estimated 40 handmade blankets to area fire departments and other organizations that help families in need. She presented four blankets to Guttenberg Fire Chief Jim Cunningham on March 15. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

The Guttenberg Fire Department received a gift last week from Edgewood resident Vicki Cripe, who donated four fleece blankets for families who may need them after a house fire.

Cripe, 58, has donated dozens of blankets to various organizations. She has given to the Greeley fire station, the Greeley Santa Claus project, the Edgewood fire station, and The Ronald McDonald room at St. Luke's Hospital. She learned to make the tie blankets five years ago and uses kits with various patterns and colors. 

“Vicki has combined her love of crafts with her love of helping people,” said friend Heather Hansel of Guttenberg. “She plans to continue to contribute and help locally.” 

When Cripe expressed a desire to learn a craft, a friend suggested making tie blankets. Tie blankets are a popular choice for crafting projects because they don’t require sewing. All that is needed is a pair of scissors and two pieces of fleece. A fringe is trimmed around the four edges of each piece of fabric, and then the two are tied together by their fringe. 

“Vicki began making a lot of blankets and one day I suggested that she donate some,” said Hansel. “Vicki loved that idea and we talked about where to donate them. I suggested Iowa City hospitals and then Vicki decided on The Ronald McDonald room at St. Luke's.

“I just like doing it,” Cripe explained simply. The first time she donated blankets, she felt good about it – so she continued. 

“I would say over the years that Vicki has donated about 40 blankets,” said Hansel. But Cripe’s generosity doesn’t stop there. After looking up local agencies that needed donations, Cripe called the Mariah House in Dubuque and was given a list of items they needed. She shopped for children's clothing, coats, wipes, and diapers, and donated those to the Mariah House along with blankets she had made.

When she’s not helping others, Cripe enjoys seeing movies, shopping, and going for walks, as well as planning weekend trips, grilling out, and bowling. She loves animals, especially her cat, Theodore. 

“Vicki puts a lot of time and money into this but loves to give – especially if she knows it is going to kids. When we talked to Vicki about where she would like to donate, she wanted to make sure that if a child had a fire that they would have a blanket,” said Hansel. “Because of her, I am a better person.”

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