Sacred Heart volunteers warm the spirit

Volunteers put together blankets for those impacted by Waukesha parade incident
By: 
Lee Pulaski
City Editor

Snipping blankets with scissors and tying the loose ends together might not sound like the most exciting thing to do on a winter’s afternoon, but for the women and children who are part of Sacred Heart Parish, the task was one they did joyfully, as the blankets were going to a good cause.

Sacred Heart received a request earlier in the month from one of the Catholic churches in Waukesha, a community that was turned upside down after a sport-utility vehicle drove into the middle of a Christmas parade, killing six people and injuring more than 60 others, including a number of children. That request asked for 45 tie blankets for those children in the hopes of brightening their spirits for the holiday season.

The issue hit particularly close to home for Mary Kroenke, who sat with her sister, Angie King, on Dec. 16 in the basement at the parish center in Shawano working on one of the blankets.

“We have family down in Waukesha,” Kroenke said as beautiful Christmas music played throughout the room. “One of our uncles knew somebody who was killed, one of the ladies that was killed.

“There was a good chance that some of them could have been there,” King added.

Both ladies received a request via email, and they both jumped on the opportunity. Others joined the workforce, too, as more than two dozen people packed the basement to put the blankets together. Although the school had done its part earlier in the week, more blankets were needed.

Kate Ruth, who spearheaded the project for the parish, noted that there were a number of requests for needed items, but the blankets seemed like a perfect fit for Sacred Heart.

“This is bringing everyone together so we can pray for them (in Waukesha) while we make the blankets,” Ruth said. “We didn’t realize there was that much of a need until a couple of days ago, so this was really a quick turnaround.”

Ruth noted that some of the cheerleaders for the school popped in during their practice to lend a hand.

“There has been so much trauma and comfort, so (the Waukesha church) wanted something that would bring people comfort,” Ruth said. “Some of the blankets may be going to students who were just at the parade. Some might be going to a family member of somebody in the hospital, and others might be going to people in the hospital. So many people were affected, and that effect is going right through Waukesha, so this is just to bring a little comfort.”

While the Shawano church started out with prayers for the people in Waukesha, it was decided that actions would do more than words.

“We wanted to connect with our spirituality, especially since it’s through the Catholic schools in Waukesha,” Ruth said.

Lori Mathwich, student services coordinator for Sacred Heart Catholic School and the owner of Valhalla Hillside Inn near Tilleda, is also donating some of the proceeds from her annual Santa house to help people impacted by the Waukesha parade tragedy, according to Ruth.

“As a wider community, we always talk about sharing the love of Jesus,” Ruth said. “This is a way that we can share Jesus’ love, even though we’re not going to be physically with them.”

For Kroenke and King, giving this year is definitely better than receiving in terms of the fact that there are those in need in the state.

“I just hope it brings a little bit of happiness,” Kroenke said. “It warms your heart if you really think about it.”

While there are myriad ways to help during a crisis, the act of putting together blankets is a good one.

“At least you can do something,” King said. “It’s like with the Toys for Tots program — you can just imagine how the kid looks on Christmas Day.”


lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com