PICKENS COUNTY — Seven years ago, Kay Schultz wanted to do something to support her new community, Vineyards at Lake Keowee.

Like many newcomers to Pickens County, Shultz was shocked to discover how many children were living in poverty and how many people were being served by Meals on Wheels.

When she learned a blanket tying technique using the softest fleece, an idea was hatched. Why not organize her neighbors and make blankets for children and elderly?

Being a fun loving group, they called themselves “Tie One On.” For the next few years, the ladies met around the holidays, and eventually each month, to make blankets for local charities.

Julie Capaldi, director of United Way of Pickens County, was knowledgeable about Pickens County so she was invited to be a part of the group. While sitting around the dining room table each month, Capaldi had the opportunity to educate the women about the most pressing needs in Pickens County.

The list of blanket needs grew to include elderly, impoverished children and homeless families with children.

Eventually Schultz moved to Atlanta, Ga., but her legacy did not move with her.

Mary Steele and Cathy Rogers took over the project and on Jan. 11, 2016, the 1,000th blanket rolled off the dining room table and into the arms of someone who desperately needed a warm hug.

Someone like three children that Cindy Burgess helped after a house fire destroyed everything they owned. Burgess met the family at their grandmother’s house where they were temporarily residing.

“The sadness was written on the children’s faces. When I handed them each a soft new blanket of their own, they immediately grabbed them and just hugged on them. It meant so much to them to have something soft and comforting to hold that belonged just to them after losing everything,” said Burgess, family liaison for the School District of Pickens County.

Whitney Moore, also a family liaison, also finds the blankets incredibly important in her work.

“There was one family that I helped last year that needed a bed,” Moore said. “The little girl’s bed had a hole in the mattress and her brother was sleeping on a couch in his room. Through United Way’s Ron Webber Fund, I was able to purchase new beds, and through Tie One On, I gave each child a new a fleece blanket. They were so excited.”

According to Capaldi, an active and engaged volunteer is the key to a vibrant community.

“Whether driving for Meals on Wheels, organizing food baskets for the elderly, serving on local boards or organizing programs for local schools, Pickens County is lucky to have a community so devoted to making life better for everyone,” Capaldi said.

The Tie One On group recently produced its 1,000th blanket that went into the arms of someone who desperately needed a warm hug.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_unitedwayvineyards.jpgThe Tie One On group recently produced its 1,000th blanket that went into the arms of someone who desperately needed a warm hug.

Staff Report