Community Corner

Baby Blankie Brigade Knits Blankets to Keep Kids Warm in Cold Months Ahead

The group of Seabrook volunteers has knit and donated over 800 blankets to local organizations in a four-year period.

A news release from Seabrook Village:

More than four dozen handmade blankets, created by residents of the Seabrook active independent adult community were finished, setup, sorted and readied for shipping and distribution to children in Monmouth County just in time for the cold months ahead.

The Seabrook Baby Blankie Makers is a group of approximately 20 women who have honed their craft, and created the blankets for the groups Hispanic Affairs and Interfaith Neighbors in Monmouth County. 

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group of ladies, who meet quarterly to share their work and ideas, were established by Seabrook resident RoseMary Cheek in 2007, who galvanized their support to create blankets for a whole host of non-profit organizations.

To date, the Blankie Makers have made an astonishing 800-plus blankets in a four year period.  Blankets have been made for groups such as Project Linus, The Visiting Nurses Association of Central New Jersey, Project Paul, The United Way, Madonna House, a homeless shelter in Elizabeth, NJ and a school for pregnant teens in Lakewood.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mrs. Cheek, who has crafted about 550 blankets since she took up the hobby in 2000 said, “I’m a knitting nut.  My involvement with these projects brings together three of my loves- knitting, volunteering and helping children in need.  I am also extremely happy that some of my fellow residents decide to create blankets for these wonderful, worthwhile causes.”

Mrs. Cheek began knitting while she was awaiting the arrival of her son and also created blankets and afghans, which were raffled off to support her husband’s veterans group.  After stopping the hobby for some time, she picked up her knitting needles once more 12 years ago. 

Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks said, “RoseMary has turned a hobby into a selfless act that serves to benefit New Jersey children in need.  Her volunteer effort is one of about 50 individual civic activities here at Seabrook, which serve to underscore the strong community commitment on behalf of our residents and staff.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here