‘Blankets for the Bayous’ pushes forward post-Hurricane Ida
TERREBONNE PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A Montegut woman has continued to bring joy to families, wanting them to always stay warm.
“Somebody out there needs them, and I hope it makes them smile and gives them a little bit of comfort,” said Montegut resident Janice Hamilton.
As Hamilton finishes up yet another blanket, she remembers how it all started. Following Hurricane Ida and the devastation it left behind, she turned to her sewing machine, making it her mission to help families that were impacted.
“I know there are people out there who are hurting. Even though it’s hot and it’s summer, people don’t have electricity, maybe they will enjoy having a blanket. Something they can hold because they lost everything,” said Hamilton.
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Naming it “Blankets on the Bayou,” since Hurricane Ida, she’s made over 3,000 blankets delivering them to families with the help of her husband.
“He would cut and I would sew. It was like an assembly line. I’d get stacks of paper bags and I was labeling the bag. The name, address and phone number and how many blankets were going to go in that bag,” said Hamilton.
These days, she finishes a blanket within 20 minutes. Hamilton says even now, she works to reach as many people as possible, to ensure that everyone stays warm.
“Somebody out there needs them, and I’ve been giving them to dialysis centers, hospice clinics. I still make pillowcases for children in hospitals,” said Hamilton.
Several of the first blankets made were from her own fleece she kept stocked up. Now, she praises those who donate every day to see that she is able to continue.
“Heartwarming to know people care and maybe they can’t sew or can’t do that, and they know I can and will. So, they are helping me help other people,” said Hamilton.
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For her, no award compares to the happiness she feels when she drops off blankets to different families.
As she looks through her book of all her deliveries, she thanks God that she is still here and able to serve people.
“I didn’t think at the time I was going to make it, and that was in 2018. It wasn’t for me. It is for them. A lot of people lost everything. I just think of the people that are going to get this blanket,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton created a public group on Facebook titled “Blankets for the Bayous” where people can keep up with her progress and make requests for blankets. Anyone interested in contributing to sewing efforts or supplies can contact Hamilton through the Facebook group.
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