Towson students pose at GBMC’s NICU unit on December 11 after delivering handmade baby blankets.
Last week, several Towson students brought some holiday cheer to those who need it this season when they delivered approximately 35 blankets handmade blankets to GBMC Hospital in Towson.
Students made the blankets as a part of “Project Cozy” at the fifth-annual TU Holiday event on Dec. 4, presented by the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association (SGA).
TU Holiday celebrates all denominations and educates students how those with varying beliefs take time to celebrate during this time of year. The event is also packed with holiday-themed activities.
“Project Cozy” was initiated by SGA Treasurer Rebecca Ellison, a senior psychology major from Baltimore County. She had been making blankets for years before attending Towson and wanted to bring one her favorite traditions to the TU campus for the holiday season.
“I brought the idea to TU Holiday planning committee and Towson SGA began funding it as a community service opportunity for students and student organizations to give back locally,” Ellison said. “It is such an amazing feeling to see how excited other Towson students are about giving back to the community.”
The students received the materials from Joann Fabrics, who provided the university with special holiday deals and discounts. With the help in funding for the project, SGA was more than ready to jump onboard with Ellison’s idea.
“SGA loved the idea and decided to help me implement the project as an internal initiative and community service event for the SGA and other organizations to be a part of,” Ellison said. “The project has been an SGA initiative ever since.”
The GBMC staff were so appreciative of the time and care the students put in the blankets, they took the students around and gave them a tour of the NICU and introduced them to some families in the hospital that day.
“It is unbelievably heart-warming to see all of our hard work pay off,” Ellison said. “We know where the blankets are going and what they will eventually be used for, but seeing the unit and meeting families who will directly benefit from the work that we do creates a much deeper meaning.
“It is a very rewarding experience being able to show the GBMC staff, patients and their families that Towson University values each and every one of them. It adds a special sentiment to ‘Project Cozy’ when we can see the direct impact our blankets make in our community.”
