PORTLAND District Health’s (PDH) annual winter blanket and coat drive has received outstanding support from the community this year, with one family going above and beyond to help.

The drive was launched in 2016, collecting blankets, coats and other items to keep those in need stay warm over the winter.

PDH Community Engagement and Fundraising Manager Carolyn Malseed said generosity had grown year on year, with a record-breaking number of donations this year.

Each year PDH staff collect and pack into boxes the coats and blankets for the local branch of the Salvation Army to distribute. And this year the packing was an even bigger job.

“We received 32 boxes in 2021, 49 boxes in 2022, and 70 boxes in 2023,” Ms Malseed said.

“(It) has blown all of us out of the water as such with the successes this year.”

 “There is so much need in our community, and making sure people have access to warm items to help through the winter is vital,” Ms Malseed said.

While many Portland and district families support the cause, one family in particular has been an amazing contributor for the drive, contributing 30 hand crocheted blankets this year.

Vivienne Aroin, Jenny Brydson and their mother Betty Aroin have all been crocheting since they were kids.

Ms Brydson said “Mum crochet’s by feel,” because of her age and poor eyesight which is quite impressive.

 Ms Brydson said her mother was looking for a worthwhile pastime, and the PDH drive provided the perfect focus.

“She just started crocheting blankets,” Ms Brydson said.

The art of crocheting is strong in the family, Betty herself learnt from her mother, and taught Vivienne and Jenny, who has now taught her daughter as well.

Betty and her daughters treat crocheting like family bonding as well as a hobby, and they will continue to put it towards a good cause.

They have already started crocheting blankets for the next drive, having completed two blankets and multiple in progress.

These blankets aren’t simple to create as one blanket takes around three weeks to create and costs around $20 each in wool.

Ms Malseed said PDH was delighted with the community response to the drive, “It’s gained so much momentum that I can’t see it stopping,”

 “The Salvation Army have right from the start worked with us in partnership with the drive, and we have a great relationship with the local Portland Salvation Army,”

The Salvation Army distributes the clean coats, jackets and blankets freely for those in need throughout the district.

When asked about PDH’s reason for supporting this cause Ms Malseed said “We are part of the community, we are here for the community, we work with the community. So, it’s a great way of having those connections.”

. Kade Wilson wrote this story while on work experience with the Portland Observer last week