GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The residents of Hovlid Community Center will be the recipients of blankets gathered by members of the Gridley Quota Club.  The annual project for Hovlid is led by the club president.  That president in 2021 is Jan Meyer.  Many yards of fleece fabric were hemmed by Pat Scheyer.  The gifts for Hovlid vary from year to year depending on the needs of the residents.  In the past Quota members donated individual mugs as well as lap blankets.  Quota members contributed money and time to the blanket project.  This year 24 lap blankets and 24 fidget blankets will go to the Hovlid residents.

Fidget blankets can be made of any material.  Various textures and bobbles are then attached to the blanket.  These objects stimulate seniors with dementia when handled or fidgeted.  They keep the users focused on an activity.  This helps reduce emotional escalation that leads to agitation.  The fidget blanket can also relieve boredom.

It is recommended that a fidget blanket have: 1) at least 5-6 different activities in bright colors; 2) need to be strong so they do not come apart easily; 3) be able to be easily stored and cleaned.

Quota is a service organization for women.  Gridley’s chapter was chartered, June 18, 1936.  It was started by Frieda Melizza who moved from Lincoln Nebraska to Gridley.  She was the new owner of the Gridley Hospital.

Today, Gridley Quota members provide high school scholarships to students at Gridley, Biggs and Live Oak high schools.  They raise funds for this and other community service projects by running a thrift store on Spruce St.  This thrift store is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 1 pm.  One hundred percent of the funds raised in the thrift store go to high school scholarships.