Life is precious — from the womb to the tomb. This statement is lived out in the Chautauqua County community not only in word but also in action. For months the members of Touch of Love Society who reside at the St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home have spent many hours making blankets for babies and young children whose families are clients at the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center.

A simple blanket begins with many thoughts and ideas. One thought from the volunteers at St. Gianna: the children need help; what can we give them to stay warm and cuddly? Another thought from St. Columban’s: the elderly have time on their hands; what can we do to keep them active and give them a feeling of accomplishment and worth? A third thought: someone has fleece material “just laying around”; what can I do with this? And a fourth thought: I would like to help in some way: how can my financial assistance do some good? Gather these isolated thoughts together and we have beautiful blankets, in many colors, for boys and girls of many ages. Warmth is also created; not only bodily warmth but a warmth in the heart of all involved.

The St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center would like to say thank you to all who in any way participated in the creation of these warm blankets. Thank you especially to the seniors of the St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home who constantly prove that life is precious at any age.

Volunteers are always welcome at either organization. To help the elderly, you may contact the St. Columban’s by calling 716-934-4515 or look them up at www.stcolumbanshome.org/facilities. To help the children, you may contact the St. Gianna Center by calling 716-401-3324 or look them up at www.prolifechautauquaco.com.