A Carman woman is encouraging local crocheters to lend their skills to a national blanket initiative supporting families and staff affected by the tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
A completed 12-by-12-inch crochet square made from #4 worsted acrylic yarn
Erin Heppner learned about the project while scrolling through Facebook.
“I was scrolling through Facebook on Friday, and Facebook with its algorithms showed me crochet groups,” she said. “This popped up on my newsfeed through a group called Canadian Crocheters and I thought, ‘Hey, this is a great idea. People need to know about this and help the people of Tumbler Ridge.’”
The initiative is being organized by Mary Marguerite Gee of 100 Mile House, B.C. This is her second national blanket effort; she previously organized a similar project following the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.
The blankets will be distributed to students, families and teachers at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School who were affected.
Heppner said while Carman is not formally connected to the project, she hopes local residents will take part.
“I live in Carman, so I guess I am the Carman connection,” she said. “I am hoping that the people of Carman will join in this opportunity to stand with the victims’ families and teachers of Tumbler Ridge.”
Heppner said contributing a square is a practical way to show care and compassion.
“It is important to me to be personally involved because it is a real and tangible way to show the love of Jesus Christ in a really dark situation,” she said. “As a whole, I enjoy encouraging others through my crochet work. Also, as a mom who is a year away from sending our daughter to school, I cannot imagine what the families are going through right now and can only hope this never happens in Carman.”
The goal is to create at least 32 blankets. Each blanket will be assembled using 20 to 24 crocheted squares.
Crocheters are asked to follow specific guidelines:
Squares must be 12 inches by 12 inches with four corners.
Yarn must be #4 worsted (4-weight) acrylic.
Squares must be made in a smoke-free environment.
Gee said consistency in materials is important.
“#4 worsted acrylic yarn, 12 x 12 inches squares, so all squares are consistent in size and thickness and less work making them fit together,” she said.
She also emphasized the smoke-free requirement.
“Smoke free because you cannot get the smell of smoke out of yarn. When I worked on the Humboldt Broncos blankets, I found that out — that even after two washes the smell remained.”
There are no restrictions on colour or pattern, although the school colours at Tumbler Ridge Secondary are royal blue and gold.
The deadline to receive squares is April 30, 2026.
“As unlike the Humboldt Broncos, I do not want squares still coming in December,” Gee said.
Heppner has already completed one square and is spreading the word locally. She said one square can take about an hour and a half to complete, depending on interruptions.
“If there are no interruptions, possibly an hour and a half,” she said with a laugh.
Squares will be mailed to British Columbia, where Gee and two volunteers will assemble the blankets as they arrive.
Heppner hopes the finished blankets will send a clear message.
“I hope that these blankets will mean to the recipients that not just the community of Tumbler Ridge is behind them, but the entire nation of Canada,” she said. “This is our Canadian culture — to help those in need.”
Before mailing squares, contributors are asked to contact Heppner at 204-918-7671 so dimensions can be confirmed. Alternatively, contributors can connect directly with Mary Marguerite Gee through Facebook or by email at something_treasured@yahoo.ca to have their square approved and receive the mailing address.
Those who do not crochet but wish to help can send an e-transfer to Gee at the same email address to help cover yarn and assembly costs.
Organizers say additional blankets will be made if more squares are received.
