MANSFIELD — National recording artist, Bill Withers, wrote and performed the song entitled, “Grandma’s Hands,” which implies that the hands of a grandmother never gets tired of finding something to do in order to help their children, grandchildren and others in the community.
This song rings loud and clear, especially for one 84-year-old widow, mother, grandmother, and community advocate Faye Winebrenner of Mansfield, along with her niece, Kendra Rice, her caregiver who is by her side.
More than 30 beautiful fleece soft blankets were delivered this week to the care of Richland County Children Services (RCCS) for case workers to deliver to children in foster care and those in need.
According to Kendra, her Aunt Faye may not be able to remember certain things, but she has never forgotten how to sew and make these beautiful blankets for kids.
“She has been making these fleece blankets for the past couple of years and within that time period has given away 2,000 blankets,” Rice said.
Winebrenner was determined to make the soft and cuddly blankets even though the serger and her regular sewing machine broke, with a replacement cost of $2,000.
“We are now out of funds and material to make the blankets, but she wanted to make sure the children in Foster Care had a blanket before the weather changed,” Rice said.
Facing the challenge of not having what she needs to make the blankets, Ms. Rice wants to encourage anyone who is interested in helping with this effort to donate material and thread.
There is a GoFundMe account at Mechanics Bank in Lexington under Kendra Rice or send your financial support to Attn: Ms. Kendra Rice 1318 Vanderbilt Rd. Mansfield, Ohio 44904. According to Rice, it takes two yards for the front and two yards for the backing of each blanket.
