This month, students at Miami School are spreading warmth by supporting their local fire department.
The Grade 6 students at Miami School are leading a blanket drive this winter to assist Miami Fire and Rescue. Teacher Theresa Knox, whose husband is a member of the fire department, learned that they were in need of blankets for on-scene use. Inspired by this, she sought a way to “share the warmth” with her students.
“I always like to try to find some sort of community give back for my class,” she said. “So, I asked the students if they could help the department gather blankets.”
The “Share the Warmth Blanket Drive” started in the last week of January and will run until the end of February. To kick off the campaign, Miami School organized a pajama and movie day, where students gathered in the gym to enjoy popcorn and watch a film. Students were encouraged to bring blankets to snuggle under and donate them afterward.
“That worked out really well,” said Knox.
In fact, the collection was so successful that the donation bin had to be emptied already.
Miami School is accepting all types of blankets for the drive, including duvets, comforters, quilts, throw blankets, baby blankets, and more. By the end of the second week, Knox estimated they had already collected around 40 blankets. Michelle Mansell, president of the Medical First Response Unit at Miami Fire and Rescue, stated that these donations would be immensely helpful.
“We use [the blankets] all year round,” she said. “Especially in car accidents. In those, people often end up in a field or a ditch and you want to keep them warm and protected from the elements.”
Fire departments provide blankets at emergencies not only to prevent hypothermia but also to reduce further injuries and foster a sense of well-being, which can aid recovery. Blankets can also create a privacy barrier, shield against the elements, help prevent shock, and assist with patient positioning.
Each time Miami Fire and Rescue responds to an accident, they offer blanket coverage to those involved while emergency care is rendered. Mansell was uncertain about the exact number of blankets used in a year, as it varies based on the frequency and nature of incidents.
While the department receives lightweight flannel and sheet-style blankets through shared health, these are inadequate for winter emergencies such as snowmobile accidents. The blankets collected through Miami School’s blanket drive are therefore crucial to their operations.
“We’ll be set for a few years I would hope,” said Mansell. “So, a big thank you to Miami School for doing this.”
Knox hopes to make the blanket drive an annual initiative at the school.
“I think it’s important for the kids to find ways they can give back to our community,” she said. “Lots of fire department members are students’ dads, uncles, and neighbours so it’s a way for these guys to give back in a way they’re able to. It’s something they can do themselves.”
The Grade 6 class created posters to promote the blanket drive and encouraged their teachers to share posts on social media. They also built bins to collect the donated blankets and are excited to see the contributions grow.
“Even one blanket would help,” said Knox. “We’re hoping to keep doing this and help increase the number of blankets we can give the fire department.”
Those wishing to donate unused blankets can drop them off at the Miami School front office until the end of February.
