SANDPOINT — Grade schoolers at Farmin Stidwell Elementary spread warmth and kindness in Sandpoint this week by participating in a nationwide charity project. 

K-6 students at the school took part in the Blankets of Hope project Monday: a nonprofit initiative that aims to uplift communities and teach young learners empathy. To participate, schools are supplied with packages of fleece blankets. Students then draft handwritten notes and attach them before the blankets are distributed to those in need. 

“My goal is to show our little people that they can make a difference in our community too,” fourth grade teacher Renee Lorden, who first brought the initiative to Farmin Stidwell three years ago, said. “They can spread that message of love and kindness.” 

This year, students helped personalize a total of 210 blankets. Once the messages have been attached, school staff members will drop off the bundles at spaces like the Bonner Community Food Bank and United Methodist Church to be further distributed. 

Lorden's journey of bringing the initiative to Sandpoint began by happenstance, when a post featuring Blankets of Hope appeared on her social media feed and sparked an idea. 

“I just saw it on Instagram and said, ‘We could totally do this,’” Lorden said.

Typically, Blankets of Hope asks for a small payment for each blanket it delivers. After expressing interest in the program but informing the organization about her limited funding, “They (Blankets of Hope) emailed me back and said, ‘We have some donations. We can have blankets there in a week,’” said Lorden. 

In addition to giving students a lesson in compassion, the exercise helps learners develop reading, writing and penmanship skills. Younger students in grades K-2 team up with their older “reading buddies” to write the letters, allowing them to practice core educational abilities. 

The project also helps students recognize the importance of supporting those in need — some of whom may be their own classmates. Farmin Stidwell qualifies as a Title I school and receives federal funds due to the low average income of area residents. 

“We have kids who are in temporary shelters,” Lorden said. “With the cost of living in Sandpoint, people are losing their homes.” 

The impact of the project is tangible. Last year, a Farmin Stidwell student named Amanda wrote a lengthy letter adorned with hearts expressing support and encouraging the recipient to keep their chin up. Months later, a local woman sent a response thanking Amanda for her kindness and telling her, “Your love and hope and belief in me touched my heart deeply.” 

“This is our why. This is why we do it,” Lorden said of the letter. “It’s just our way of doing our little piece to give back,” she added. “It’s showing them (students) that even though they’re ages 5-11, they can make an impact in the community.”

    Second and fourth graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary draft letters of kindness as part of a project that will deliver 210 fleece blankets to community members in need.