Following the recent cold wave that led to a state of emergency declaration for the State of Florida, AdventHealth Centra Care is pleased to announce the launch of a program called Care Blankets (www.careblankets.org), an initiative dedicated to providing warmth and comfort to those in need during the winter months.
With 12.3% of Florida’s population living below the poverty line, the demand for warmth has never been greater. Many families, especially those facing financial hardships, lack access to adequate heating or warm blankets during colder months. Centra Care, using CareBlankets.org aims to change that by rallying community support to create and distribute blankets before the colder months arrive next winter.
“As a trusted healthcare leader, Centra Care has always been committed to the well-being of the community,” said Dr. Rob Paswaters, COO of AdventHealth Centra Care. “The blankets created through CareBlankets.org aren’t just fabrics stitched together—they’re expressions of compassion to people across Florida. Whether sewn, knitted, or crocheted, each piece tells a story of kindness and connection. From expert quilters to first-time crafters, everyone can contribute their time, talent, or resources to make this project successful”.
The need for this initiative became evident when Gov. Ron Desantis declared a state of emergency on January 20, 2025, due to severe cold conditions. While Florida may not experience extreme winter temperatures as frequently as other states, frosty nights and brisk mornings can bring significant hardship, especially for vulnerable individuals and families without access to adequate heating or cozy blankets.
CareBlankets.org cannot succeed without the help of the community. So, Advent Health is challenging volunteers to join in making handmade blankets—quilts, afghans, and more—to help those in need to stay warm. The Care Blankets team offers a special way for you and your network, school, church or office to help Florida’s most vulnerable residents, even offering free knitting classes to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part. Enjoy an afternoon or evening learning how to help your neighbors, learn to knit yourself, and donate a blanket before September.
Local organizations, including Feed & Fortify, Samaritan Resource Center, and Ceccarelli Rosenberg Foundation, https://www.ffcoinc.org are already committed to helping distribute the blankets to those in need.
By the time the colder months arrive, the goal is to have hundreds, if not thousands, of blankets ready for distribution. According to Dr. Paswaters, these blankets will serve as a reminder to recipients that they are not alone and that their community truly cares about them and their families.
To achieve this vision, AdventHealth Centra Care is calling on the community to get involved. Individuals can support CareBlankets.org by creating a blanket, donating materials such as yarn and cloth, or spreading the word to encourage more participation. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help ensure that no one in the community is left out in the cold.
Handmade blankets can be dropped off at any one of the 54 Centra Care locations. For more information and to learn how to get involved, please visit www.careblankets.org.
About AdventHealth Centra
AdventHealth Centra Care is a trusted leader in urgent care with more than 40 years of experience and 57 locations in Central Florida and Tampa as well as Kansas and North Carolina. From sore throats to stomach aches, to sprains to strains, Centra Care serves patients of all ages and is open seven days a week, with evening hours.
CareBlankets.org is just one example of the many ways in which Centra Care has gone beyond caring for the immediate clinical needs of the patient and has invested in the health of Floridian communities. Centra Care is deeply rooted in community and strives to ensure that needs are met before they rise to the level of clinical intervention. Centra Care is proudly at the forefront of prioritizing daily wellbeing of residents along side of direct clinical care.
For more information, visit CentraCare.org.
Media Contact
Company Name: Aegle Media Group
Contact Person: Shannon Sayre
Email: Send Email
Phone: 407-383-3778
City: Orlando
State: Florida
Country: United States
Website: https://careblankets.org/
