Circle K Makes Blankets for Pediatric Trauma Institute

From Shelley Rines, Student Center:

The Keene State College Circle K club, an internationally recognized community service organization, made and donated 55 fleece blankets for children at the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute. The blankets, handmade by club members, were delivered in December at the Annual Open House for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, KPTI in Boston.

Circle K, the college version of Kiwanis, donates many different handmade items to the hospital every year, including blankets, welcome tote bags, and trauma dolls. While the club also donates money, the homemade items are usually the most important, because they make the hospital a more comfortable place for the children. KPTI is funded through Kiwanis and their youth affiliate groups; it’s part of Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Twelve members of Keene State College Circle K and three members of Kiwanis traveled to Boston on Saturday to present their gifts to the hospital. “The gift we were able to give was incredible,” says Abigail O’Haire, past projects and fundraising chair of Circle K, “I have never seen such a big gift, and I was very happy to be part of it.” The blanket project was such a success due to donations made by Kiwanis, KSC, and community members through a sponsorship project. Over $600 was raised to pay for the fleece blanket material. Circle K and Chelsey Rothermel, the project coordinator, would like to thank the community for making this project a success.