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Somers High School Students Make Blankets For a Cause
The Fashion Room at Somers High School hummed with activity as a large group of students assembled dozens of Steph’s Comfort Kits to donate to the American Red Cross on behalf of the Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Fund.
World Language Teacher and French Club Advisor Anna Timone instructed members of the French Club and the Fashion & Textile Arts Club on how to make the cuts and tie pieces of the large fleece material to make blankets. In total, 40 Steph’s Comfort Kits with fleece blankets, small stuffed bears and cushy pillows will be distributed to local children displaced from their homes or separated from their families for numerous different reasons.
Students were joined by Lin Crispinelli, Stephanie’s mother, who bought the fleece and supplies for the students to assemble the kits. Stephanie, a graduate of Somers High School, was killed in an earthquake in Haiti in 2010 while doing a mission trip for the poor when she was 19.
“In addition to being a great therapeutic way to spend an afternoon, it’s for such a good cause,” said Marissa Ambramson, a member of the French Club. “I have done this for the past three years.”
“We put our time and effort into a great cause that helps our local community and benefits local kids right here in Somers,” said Lily Mandel-Mueller, another member of the French Club. Julio Abzum agreed. “I am spending a short amount of time after school doing something to help kids who really need it,” Abzum said.
“We do this every year to honor Stephanie on her birthday and around Valentine’s Day,” Crispinelli said. “This year she would have been 32.”
The Steph’s Comfort Kits have been a project in Somers schools for the past 10 years. It has often been a joint undertaking between the high school and Primrose Elementary School students. They will resume helping to assemble the kits next year.
Due to COVID restrictions, the American Red Cross could not be there to pick up the kids and Crispinelli will hand deliver them to the American Red Cross. Those who wish to donate can find information at www.stephaniesmission.org