PETERS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — When the coronavirus pandemic impacted everybody’s lives, a neighborhood teenager took tying the knot to a complete new stage.
“I completed them, and now it’s a sigh of aid as a result of I can lastly share them with individuals,” she mentioned.
When 18-year-old Rachael Gavlik walks into her household room, she greeted by a 7-foot mountain pile of fleece blankets.
“It’s sort of an enormous Jenga recreation the place for those who add yet another blanket to the pile it’s like don’t let this be the one which topples all the things over,” Gavlik mentioned.
The senior at Peters Township Excessive Faculty spent the previous six months making them.
“There could be some weekends the place it might be a blanket-making extravaganza, [sometimes] 12 to 14 hours. I might get scissor cramps as a result of I might be reducing a lot,” she mentioned.
There are greater than 600 blankets for males, girls and kids. There are much more adaptive ones for individuals in wheelchairs. All blankets are being donated to Meals On Wheels and native shelters subsequent week, with each containing messages of hope.
“I’m serving to people who want a bit reminder that even for those who’re doing by means of a tricky spot you’ll be able to have a supply of pleasure in your life,” she mentioned.
Pulling inspiration from her personal experiences–having been bullied in class–she says the work of a tattoo artist pulled her by means of. Now she’s paying it ahead.
“I used to be going by means of a darkish place with bullying and different issues with faculty drama, and her work actually offered a vivid spot,” Gavlik mentioned.
She leaves an additional knot, representing herself, in every blanket to remind individuals they don’t seem to be alone.
“If each goes to a special individual, that’s over 600 lives that I’ve modified, which is fairly cool.”
She additionally donated 110 packing containers for Operation Christmas Little one this yr.
