“Project Warm Up,” an undertaking that results in the creation and delivery of hundreds of fleece blankets for students living in poverty, started with one student’s compassion for those less fortunate and has exploded into a project that delivered 480+ homemade blankets last year.

The most effective measures of “Project Warm Up” cannot be counted, offered statistically, or presented in graphs—they reveal themselves in the volunteers’ determination to make a difference in other peoples’ lives through the act of giving to others in need.  When the blankets are delivered, the connection between those in need and those who gave can only be measured in smiles, hugs, tears, and grateful hands.  The impact on both will never be forgotten.

All one has to do is recall the faces of the family living in the substandard building with the dirt floor, or the family of five living in their car when they received these blankets to understand the difference we can make in so many lives.  Caring people in this city make the world a warmer place for our students and families in poverty, and for that, we are very grateful.

~Gail Swenson, Supervisor of Homeless Education, Sioux Falls School District

Last year the Sioux Falls School District identified 1029 children as homeless.

As of December 1 of this year, that number has already reached 700!

Over the past three years Project Warm-Up, sponsored by the LHS Key Club, the Diversity Kiwanis Club and the generosity of many caring donors, provided over 1300 of those homeless children with a new fleece blanket during the holidays.

We want to increase the number of blankets this year, but we need your help!

Look who's been busy making blankets so far this year! Thank you for your generosity!