Wisdom and Grace: Hi-Line Heroes – Blankie Blessings

"Ila, could you check with the hospital and see if it would be possible to give a baby blanket to every newborn?"

I had just started working as the chaplain for Northern Montana Health Care. I wasn't quite sure what the answer from the hospital administration would be. I was surprised when the answer was "Yes." And I have been continually surprised (and proud) as year after year after year Fifth Avenue Christian Church has continued to make a baby quilt for every baby born at Northern Montana Hospital.

The catalyst for the project was visionary Peggy Kampf. Besides being an awesome cook, Peggy was a talented seamstress, working miracles on bridal and prom dress as owner of the "The Bridal Boutique." In the 1990s, she sold the business, but her love of sewing caused her to continue sewing and doing altercations. Peggy was a faithful member of Fifth Avenue Christian Church, and was instrumental in beginning the Blankie Blessing program. She, and now many other members of the congregation, have sewn an estimated 8,000 plus blankets for the newborns in Havre. "It was what got her out of bed, even on the hardest of days," says her daughter Arlyne Chvilicek. Peggy passed away April 12, 2015.

In 2017, Nick Heninger, Peggy's grandson, became a new father to a baby boy they named Lane. They wondered if there might be one of Grandma Peggy's quilts still there. To their surprise, the nurses brought baby Lane out with a quilt made by Grandma Peggy! No one picked it specifically for him. The nurses just thought it was appropriate. And it most certainly was.

Fern Lohse recalls the day an announcement was made at church telling about the new ministry and requesting help. Jokingly she responded, "I'd love to help but I don't sew." To which Peggy Kampf responded, "The blankets need to be tied. Here's a needle. I will teach you."

Many, many people have worked on the quilts over the years: Anna Mae Sterrett, Maggie Doll, Fern Lohse, Lilly Williams, Theresa Garwood, Arlyne Chvilicek, Edna Bitz, Barb Brown, Esther Capellen, Mary Swenson, and the list goes on and on. At present, some of the workers are: Harvey and Marianne Capellen, Fern Lohse, Aileen Couch and Lilly Williams.

In the summer, Harvey and Marianne Capellen attend Craft Camp at Little Rockies Christian Camp near Landusky, Montana. Marianne cuts the fabric into the correct sized squares and then combines them with other color appropriate fabric. Harvey does the sewing. Aileen Couch does the machine embroidery that says "Jesus Loves You. Fifth Avenue Christian Church."

Every parent is offered a quilt for their newborn. Whether they choose to accept it or not is up to them. A card attached to the blanket says "Congratulations from your friends at Fifth Avenue Christian Church. Sometimes it takes a miracle to get a family into church. After you've celebrated the wonder of birth, come join us as we celebrate another miracle. The miracle of Jesus Christ."

Throughout the years, Fifth Avenue Christian Church has received many notes of gratitude. Here are a few: "Thank you so much for making and donating the adorable baby blanket! It was so cute with blue bunnies! Perfect for our son born the week of Easter. We appreciate you all."

"Thank you so very much for the adorable baby blanket we received at the hospital. It I truly a blessing to receive such a handmade, beautiful gift at such an exciting time!"

"Our sweet baby girl was born in Havre, Montana. When we arrived to the hospital to adopt her, she was with the most wonderful people and covered with her very special quilt. Thank you for taking the time to make that for her, and for cuddling her with love and warmth."

Stacks of the baby quilts are kept in the Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum Department at Northern Montana Hospital to be handed out. They are replenished often.

Should someone want to donate fabric that would be appropriate for the baby quilts, they may do so by dropping it off at Fifth Avenue Christian Church, 2015 Fifth Avenue, in Havre. Preferences for fabric are baby-appropriate, at least one yard long

In the nearly 25 years of the Blankie Blessing ministry an estimated 8,000 plus baby quilts have been made and passed out. Before COVID, they were making 30 blankets a month but since then the number has been 15-20 a month. Truly, those involved in this ministry are a blessing not only to the newborns and their families but to all of our communities here on the Hi-Line. God bless you, dear ones!

You are Hi-Line Heroes ... for sure!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it. And He took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10: 14-16.

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Ila McClenahan is a retired chaplain and activity director living in the Amos area north of Havre. She keeps busy writing, directing Christian Camps for children, volunteering and speaking at various events, She and her husband Rod have four daughters and oodles of blessings (grandchildren).