Memorial Hospital recently received a special delivery of comfort and compassion from the Illini West High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA), whose members created and donated more than 40 handmade tie blankets for patients in the emergency department and inpatient hospital units.
Each November, the Illini West FFA Officer Team selects community service projects to support local families during the holiday season. The idea for the blanket donation began at the chapter’s November officer meeting. Members decided the project would be a meaningful addition to their annual Friendsgiving Chapter Meeting. On November 20, more than 40 FFA members gathered for a Thanksgiving potluck and spent the evening hand-cutting and tying blankets that would soon bring warmth to patients at Memorial Hospital.
“It was something fun that got everyone involved in helping our community and giving back to those in need,” said Lainey Sullivan, 2025–2026 Illini West FFA Chapter President.
“It was fun to make the blankets and to know that we were able to give comfort to those in need,” added FFA member Kenzey Geissler.
“It took a lot of time to be precise and to get them completed neatly, but it felt good to know they were going to a good cause,” said Carmen McElroy, 2025–2026 Illini West FFA Treasurer.
Illini West agriculture teacher McKenna Merritt contacted Memorial Hospital to share that her students had completed the project and hoped to donate the blankets to patients who could benefit from extra comfort.
Memorial Hospital Social Worker/Discharge Planner Moira Rothert expressed her appreciation for the students’ efforts. “These blankets will mean so much to our patients. A small gesture of warmth can bring comfort on some of the hardest days, and we are deeply grateful for the compassion these students put into every blanket,” Rothert said.
Memorial Hospital extends heartfelt thanks to the Illini West FFA for their dedication to community service and for helping support patients and families during the holiday season.
Pictured: Carmen McElroy, 2025–2026 Illini West FFA Treasurer (left) presenting a blanket donation to Moira Rothert, Discharge Planner/Social Worker, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.
