Eagle Mountain 6th Graders Make Blankets For Families Of Fallen First Responders

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah – It’s unusual to hear the stitches of a sewing machine in an elementary classroom, butthis assignment isn’t meant for a grade.

It’s a chance to share comfort to families of fallen first responders in Utah.

“My goal is for each child to in sixth grade to touch one of these blankets that they are making for these first responder families, and give each one of the immediate family members comfort during their difficult time,” said Tammy Bothelo, a sixth grade teacher at Brookhaven Elementary.

Her idea of making blankets was inspired by the loss of a close friend in Ohio who was a police officer, which hit home again five years ago, when a Utah County deputy was killed in the line of duty.

“When Sgt. Cory Wride was killed here in Eagle Mountain, that brought all that up for me,” she added.

Bothelo buys supplies out her own pocket, with a few donations, and each sixth grade student spends about an hour each week making the blankets.

“We learned how to sew and I just barely learned how to crochet and it is really fun, because we are helping people who have lost family members and need comfort,” said Cambrie Pendleton, a student at the school.

The students work on the blankets every Monday and Friday, and by the end of the school year they plan to have 20 to give to the families of fallen heroes.

The past year has been one of loss for many police departments in Utah, as well as a firefighter and a national guardsman.

“One person can make a difference in other people’s lives and help other people that have been sad,” said Landon Springer, a student at the school.

It’s teaching these students lessons about life they can’t find in any textbook.

“My goal is to not only to educate about math and language arts, but to teach the heart and empathy and community spirit that we need to build, not just here in eagle mountain, but throughout our state,” Bothelo said.