Girl Scout Troop use blankets to tie generational cords of appreciation

Cut. Loop. Tie. Give. Repeat. Oshkosh West Girl Scout Troop #2253 has dedicated hours of their time to tying blankets for veterans in hospice care. By taking part in this tradition of service, the six troop members have found that this means much more than just making blankets. Senior Isabella Sylvia has been in the troop since kindergarten and loves connecting with a group she considers family. 

“It gives me a sense of community,” she said. “It’s a very meaningful event. I like being able to help others with the people I love.”

Every year, both this troop and others in the city come together to give back to the people who put their lives on the line for America. This year’s lineup included over 30 scouts, troop leaders, and community members. West alumni and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student Oscar Valdez appreciated his first-time experience. 

“I think giving back to the community of people who have put their lives on the line for us is great,” he said. “This is the first real volunteering event I’ve been involved in, and it feels like a really good experience to start with. It’s never something I would expect people to do, but I can see why it would bring comfort to the veterans.”

Eighth-grader Alayna Peterson, a member of Troop #2414 and a returning participant in blanket tying, enjoys the opportunity to give back.

“I tied blankets here last year too,” she said. “I just think this is a great way to just help out and give back to our community.”

Back in 2022, Peterson also helped senior Jade Laibly with her Gold Award project by creating a patch that younger girls could earn at the Ken Robl Conservation Park. Laibly, whose mother, Deb, orchestrates the annual blanket tying, has been participating since long before the troop began doing it together. 

“I think this year is especially cool,” Jade Laibly said. “With it being our senior year, it’s our last year doing this, so we’re kind of passing it down to all the younger troops and teaching them how special this is and the importance of it.”

The popularity for the event stems from the long-time troop leader, Deb Laibly. She promotes this event and others like it through her Facebook and receives donations every year. 

“I didn’t really think we would do it every year,” she said. “The girls were just so good at it, and it just seemed like, with the help of social media, you could help spread the word and the community seemed to really want to support it.”

With both monetary and fabric donations, the Scouts ended up tying a total of 34 blankets in the hour and 45 minutes they spent at All Saints Lutheran Church on January 15. The impact of the event keeps senior Leo Ebben always ready for more. 

“This is an annual tradition, so I  just keep going with it,” he said. “I like seeing the pictures they send of the smiling veterans with their little blankets because it’s cute.”

Nicki Lazorik, who graduated from West in 1991, is grateful for the opportunity to give thanks. 

“I’m appreciative that these young people are taking the time and making that connection,” she said. “The blankets are like a warm hug of appreciation when the words ‘thank you’ just aren’t enough for all the veterans have done to make everything we have today possible.”

by Becca Wold

Published January 30, 2023

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue 4