SANDPOINT — Nearly 250 blankets, complete with handwritten notes from students in 13 classrooms at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary, will be dispersed to those in need this season as part of “Blankets of Hope.”

Blankets of Hope is an educational non-profit organization that was launched by two brothers in Brooklyn who quit their day jobs to create an organization that partners with schools to educate students while encouraging the community. Through a lesson prepared by the organization, students watch a video, write letters and color pictures, and attach the notes to the blankets. 

Renee Lorden, fourth grade teacher at Farmin Stidwell, said this was the school’s third year participating in the project.

“The purpose of this kindness learning project is to teach kids to practice empathy and kindness, and make an impact on their community,” Lorden said. “Today's lesson was geared for the younger kiddos since we did the activity with our first grade reading buddies … You can see in the video that the founders really strive to show how our students can make a difference by writing letters of kindness and hope, drawing a picture and attaching it to a cozy blanket.”

While students typically fundraise to purchase the blankets that they donate, this year Kochava donated all the blankets. The blankets and notes will stay in the area making a local impact. They will be distributed to Bonner Community Food Bank, Clark Fork Food Bank, Bonner Homeless Transitions, Sandpoint United Methodist Church soup kitchen, Hoot Owl soup kitchen, and Idaho Department of Correction. 

“We love this project and it shows our kids that even though they are small, they can make a positive difference in their community,” Lorden said. “The feedback we have received from the community is amazing.”