Tie-Blanket Program Provides Opportunity to Give Back

Having recently moved to west Omaha, Maria brought Payten to Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch to get her first library card. After spending time perusing the shelves and picking out a stack of books to take home, they wandered into the meeting room to help with a community project that will yield an amazing gift for someone in need.

Making tie-blankets for a local charity is a project that library specialist Justine Goeden had done with children before and they enjoyed it so much that she wanted to try it at the library as well. “The kids have a blast and the program teaches them that helping others can be fun,” said Goeden.

Omaha Public Library offers many craft programs at its 12 locations, but the tie-blanket program is different. All supplies are provided, but participants won’t take their creation home at the end of the program. Instead, the finished blankets will be collected at the end of the month and shared with a charity that has the greatest need.

“It’s a great community project,” said Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Manager Sarah VanRaden. “Anyone is welcome to stop in during this program and spend time working together on something for others.”