Havre Elks holding blanket drive to help warm the holidays

Havre Elks Lodge #1201 is working to help people with bedding and blankets to spare or share get the bedding to those who who need it with the group’s 2019 Blanket Drive.

The service event started out as solely a blanket drive, organizer Brandy Kurtz said, but last year people who were cleaning out or downsizing homes contacted her at the same time the blanket drive was accepting donations, asking if they could donate other bedding sets. The response to the change was big, Kurtz added, so they are opening up the drive and giveaway to all bedding again this year.

The Elks Lodge 2019 Blanket Drive, Kurtz said, will be accepting donations of new or clean lightly used bedding along with names of those in need of blankets and bedding until noon on the two distribution dates.

Donated bedding and blankets will be distributed to people who have signed up or been nominated. The first distribution date is Tuesday, Nov. 26, just before Thanksgiving, and the second date is Dec. 18, closer to Christmas. Both pickup events start at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 321 Second St.

The blankets and bedding can be new or used, Kurtz said, but they ask that any used items be clean and only lightly used, and that any bedding sets be complete.

Donations can be dropped off at Western Trailer Sales from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or the Elks Lodge 4 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. And to sign up for blankets or bedding or to nominate someone, people can contact Kurtz at 390-0091.