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"I consider this to be charitable work that is just trying to make our world a better place," said Lorraine Suva, project coordinator for the project.

"We create blankies for those who can't really help themselves because we know it will make them happy."

The project began more than five years ago when Suva found out her best friend, Ginny, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"Ginny ended up in a nursing home folding towels, and I wanted to do something more for her," Suva said. "I made her a blankie and she loved it. Soon, I began making blankies for other people in the nursing home and it just took off from there."

Suva began visiting different businesses and nursing homes around the area to see if they were interested in distributing her blankets. The former owner of Sandra's Sewing Center, a local business in downtown Lapeer, offered to let Suva use a room, sewing machines, and material to start the Alzheimer's Blankies Project.

According to Suva, a small group of people soon became involved with the project, with most classes ranging from 5-10 people. "Everyone brings their own sewing machine and we just have a good time. They are the nicest core group of sewers," Suva said.

The blankies have no set design and are made from various materials, most of which have been donated.

"There are no two the same," Suva said. They may not contain buttons, bells, or beads; however, many include pockets and crochet trims.

When asked if the sewers use their own materials to make the blankies, Suva said that although most of them bring their own materials to share with everyone, a lot of the material is donated by people and businesses interested in the project.

"We receive lots of calls from people with extra material," said Suva. Suva also said they have received donations of fiber-fill, which is the most expensive part of the blankies, from The Warm Company, a company in Washington that manufactures sewing, quilting, and crafting products throughout the world.

"I contacted the company on the recommendation of one of the sewers," Suva said. "I told them about the project, and they sent me a large batch of fiber-fill. We've received donations from them twice already."

A story about the Alzheimer's Blankies Project has been featured in Country Woman magazine, as well as on the television show, Sewing With Nancy. As a result of the publicity, Suva said she has received at least 700 letters from people who wish to obtain more information regarding the blankies.

"I believe I was directed to do this," Suva said. "It was a God-given idea."

Due to the closing of Sandra's Sewing Center, the Alzheimer's Blankies Project meetings are now held in the conference room of Edward Jones Financial advisor Brian Hurst, 3056 Davison Road, Suite 3 in Lapeer (at Millville and Davison roads).

Meetings will be on the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. The next meeting is May 20. Those who attend are asked to bring their own sewing machines. Machine donations are always welcome.

For more information about the Alzheimer's Blankies Project, call Lorraine Suva at (810) 688-4283.