Reflections Magazine Issue #61 - Spring 2004 | Page 18

As we celebrate our new 2004 Alumni Award winners, this seems an appropriate time to report on a heart-warming story that came about as a follow-up to last
year’s Alumni Awards program.
A few months after receiving the 2003 Sister Ann Joachim Award, Dan Malley
’85 of Cleveland contacted the alumni office with a question. Dan, who was honored last year for his work with neglected and homeless boys through the Malley
Foundation, asked if anyone at Siena might be interested in knitting or crocheting
40 blankets.

Blanket Project
Warms Hearts:

It seemed an unusual request in the heat of the summer, but Dan explained:
The Malley Foundation maintains a year-round commitment to about 40 boys
age 6-16 who live at a facility for children removed from their homes because of
abuse or neglect. Each December, Dan and his wife organize a party for the boys
on Christmas Eve. For Christmas 2003, Dan wanted each boy to receive a handmade blanket—something made especially for each one of them, something that
would be theirs to keep.

Alumni Help Alumni Help Others In Need
By Jennifer A. Hamlin Church

I promised to ask around for volunteers—and went straight to the desk of Sister
Marcine Klemm ’55, secretary to the academic dean and well-known for her beautiful afghans. Did Marcine think there might be enough crafters willing to make
blankets out of the goodness of their hearts?
The answer, many weeks later, was a resounding yes. In late summer and through
the fall, Marcine coordinated the efforts of more than two dozen women—some
alumnae, some Adrian Dominicans, some far-away friends who just heard about
the project. All were inspired by the opportunity to make a special Christmas for
“Dan’s boys.”
In mid-December, I had the privilege of driving to Cleveland—my car filled like
Santa’s sleigh with colorful, one-of-a-kind creations—to deliver 43 knitted, crocheted, stitched and woven masterpieces to Dan’s office at the headquarters of
Malley’s Chocolates. Each blanket included a beautiful card sending the maker’s
good wishes and God’s love to the young recipient.

Sister Marcine Klemm (front far right) and several
participants in the blanket project pose with their
handiwork at the Dominican Life Center, before
the blankets left for Cleveland.

The annual Christmas party was a success and included a tour of lights, lunch,
presents and a visit from Santa. But the blanks were the highlight of the day,
Dan said.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” he admitted, “but they were the hit of the
party. Once the boys realized there were no two blankets alike, they wouldn’t put
them down. It looked like a room full of Linuses, each boy carrying his special
blanket, making sure no one took his by mistake!”
Many of the boys had never had a blanket to call their own.
A project like this makes me proud to be head of the alumni office at Siena
Heights. I can’t think of a more worthwhile alumni relations activity: alumni (and
friends) helping alumni helping others in need.
To show his appreciation, Dan sent Sister Marcine and her teammates a generous check to help support the Adrian Dominicans’ community service work. Alumni
helping alumni helping others in need.
Special thanks to all who assisted with the project.

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Reflections Spring ‘04 - Alumni News