Image: Life FM/Facebook
An Adelaide community radio station has turned discarded chip packets into handmade winter blankets for people doing it tough, with Life FM delivering 80 Buddy Blankets to the Arndale Salvation Army.
The community initiative set out with a goal of making 75 blankets this winter, but thanks to the support of Life FM listeners, volunteers and supporters, the final handover exceeded expectations.
The Life FM Roadies delivered 80 Buddy Blankets to the Arndale Salvation Army, along with an extra 250 foil blankets, 40 pairs of gloves, 27 beanies, 12 pairs of socks, three scarves and three pet mats.
Made from discarded chip packets, the Buddy Blankets are designed to be lightweight, warm, sustainable and waterproof. Each blanket was handmade and included encouraging messages and bible verses to offer comfort and hope to those experiencing hardship.
The project involved five main workshops, along with smaller teams working behind the scenes at the Life FM studios over an eight-week period.
Major Gaye Fay from the Salvation Army said demand for support had increased, with more people seeking assistance due to homelessness, loss of income, leases not being renewed and rising cost of living pressures.
“I think the concept amazes people, particularly when we explain how they are made, and so people are coming in looking for them. I think with the messages of hope on the blankets, they are speaking into people’s lives, and I believe they are making a difference.”
Sponsored by Second Chances, the Buddy Blankets project brought together volunteers, listeners and the wider Life FM community to help support South Australians in need through winter.
Life FM is a not-for-profit radio station dedicated to sharing a message of hope, with programming designed to connect, entertain and inspire the local community.
For more go to, https://mylifefm.com
