RUSSELL, Ky. — It started off as a simple activity and now it’s on the monthly activity calendar at the Morning Pointe Senior Care Community in Russell, Ky.

Residents there are putting their hands to work and filling the hearts of many as they create special blankets to donate. Each week, 87-year-old Clara Hodges and 86-year-old Eunice Stanley pick a new fleece fabric, cut, tie and fringe the ends making a warm blanket for someone in need.

Already the group has donated their heartfelt work to a local pregnancy center and homeless shelter.

Jessica Spears, Life Enrichment Director for the Morning Pointe of Ridge came up with the idea when her newborn was in the hospital.

“I was around a lot of babies, saw lots of blankets and the idea just came to me. The residents love doing it and love even more donating their work,” said Spears.

“While making and knotting the blankets, I pray over them, hoping that a small gesture makes a difference in the lives of the people the blanket comes in contact with,” said Hodges, “reminding them that someone cares for them.” She said the activity helps her as well, by keeping her hands busy.

Spears said the group will likely grow and next they plan to start making blankets for newborns and donating them to their local hospital.

Independent Healthcare Properties, LLC, a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based senior healthcare services company, develops and manages Morning Pointe assisted living and The Lantern Alzheimer’s/Memory Care communities and has 17 communities in five southern states. IHP was founded in 1996 by regional healthcare entrepreneurs, Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow. For more information, please visit www.morningpointe.com.