Gearing up for the 5th Annual Blankets of Hope Marathon in Bowie, MD

The annual "Marathon" was created by Soldiers' Angels Lisa Dodson and Matt Dick of Bowie, MD who are now well underway with preparations for the 2010 Marathon. Mark your calendar if you're in the area, because you won't want to miss this terrific event! If you cannot attend, there are others ways to help - contact information can be found below.


The 2009 Blankets of Hope Marathon in Bowie, MD. Last year 200 volunteers made about 350 fleece blankets for wounded and ill service members medevaced from Iraq and Afghanistan to Landstuhl hospital in Germany.

Calling all Angels!

5th Annual Blankets of Hope Marathon

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Ascension Catholic Church
12700 Lanham-Severn Road
Bowie, MD

8 Hour Marathon
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(or until we run out of fleece!)

Drop in anytime and stay as long as you like!

Angels of ALL ages are needed - boys, girls, teens, adults, seniors, scouts, everyone! Blankets are needed for our wounded soldiers. If you can tie a knot, you can make a Blanket of Hope. Volunteers will be on hand to show you what to do.

What is a Blanket of Hope?
A “Blanket of Hope” is simply that - a blanket created from love to provide hope and comfort to a wounded hero during one of the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives. These Blankets of Hope are sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the Middle East, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and to some military hospitals here at home. It is a powerful thing for a wounded hero to know that someone cares.

Please bring the following supplies:
1. Material: 2 pieces of Fleece - MUST be 45"- 62" wide x 60"- 80" long. Bright colors are good, but patriotic colors and patterns work well. The front panel should be a pattern and the back panel a solid.
2. Ruler
3. Pair of Scissors (please label with your name).


If you would like to make a blanket but aren't available that day, here’s what you can do: Contact us for "How to" instructions. Complete your Blanket of Hope at home and then deliver it to Bates Hall the day of our Blanket Marathon or to the Parish Office by September 24th, 2010.

For more information, to request "how to" instructions, to let us know you are coming, or to make a donation (either monetary or fleece), please contact:

Lisa Dodson @ 301-805-1085 or lisa.dodson@verizon.net, Matt Dick @ mattdi1022@gmail.com, Valerie Potter @ 410-562-9480 (vpotter3@verizon.net), Maureen Barber @ 301-928-0603 (maureen167@msn.com)

Event organizers Lisa Dodson, Maureen Barber, and Valerie Potter.



More photos of last year's Marathon can be seen here.