Volunteers make blankets in honor of Ava Winner
Volunteers gathered together on March 9 at Mercantile on Main to make blankets in honor of Ava Winner. The blankets will be donated to Project Linus, which will distribute them to children’s hospitals in Akron and Cincinnati, where Winner has been treated for a brain tumor. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – More than 100 blankets were recently created in honor of Ava Winner who is being treated at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati for a brain tumor.
The blankets will be donated to Project Linus whose mission is to “provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans.”
On March 9 volunteers were invited to come to Mercantile on Main and help ladies from the Rose of Sharon Retreat center create blankets for the project.
“Ava’s our friend and I’m her piano teacher,” said Vickie Davis, who owns the Rose of Sharon with her sister Jacque Wagner. “We wanted to do something for her that would also give back to others. Kecia Buxton told us about Project Linus and we decided to donate blankets that will be taken to the children’s hospitals in Akron and Cincinnati where she has been treated.”
About 18 volunteers came and worked on blankets and several others brought in ones they created at home. Winner’s Aunt Amanda Meiser stopped by with her daughters to see everyone’s hard work.
“This is so sweet of people to do especially because many of them have never even met Ava before,” Meiser said. “The community has been a big support and that means more than words can say.”
One of the ladies who came to help was Linda Ashcraft, who is a 30-plus year survivor of cancer.
“I came for the love of a child,” she said. “I don’t know her, but I love to help people who are from our community and want to support her in her fight.”
Lori Cox also volunteered her time and talents to help.
“I went to school with Amanda and Melissa (Ava’s mother) and have known them my whole life,” Cox said. “I crochet and I reached out to make a prayer shawl and some hats. I’m happy to do anything I can to make this easier.”
Melissa was very appreciative of everyone’s kindness.
“This is so amazing,” she said. “The support is overwhelming. Thinking of all those beautiful blankets being given to kiddos warms my heart.”
For more on Project Linus, visit www.projectlinus.org.
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