Students Make Blankets for Afghan Families

Sep 20, 2021

The volunteer opportunity was organized by the Hispanic Student Association and the College of Education and Liberal Arts.

  • - Sebastian Lauver (left), a junior social work major, and Danyelle Mccarrison, a first-year environmental studies major.

  • - Nalani Lowman, a first-year pre-law student, looks over her finished blanket.

  • - Samantha Kubitza, a junior social work major, begins work on her blanket.

Students at California University of Pennsylvania volunteered to hand knit blankets for Afghanistan refugees who have come to Pittsburgh.

The volunteer opportunity was sponsored by the Hispanic Student Association and the College of Education and Liberal Arts. The blankets will be distributed by JFCS Refugee and Immigrant Services, in Pittsburgh.

“The organization said they have a lot of supplies, so why not make something a little more special?” said Dr. Andrea Cencich, assistant professor and Hispanic Student Association adviser. 

“Our students took two hours out of their day to makes these blankets, which we will pack up and deliver to Pittsburgh. We don’t know who will get them, but we hope it brings a smile.”

It was a meaningful experience for Adela Howsare, a sophomore psychology major.

“I felt a lot of emotions,” she said. “I have a friend who is Afghan and also my mother grew up in Nicaragua during a civil war, so it makes me want to something for people in those situations.”