A New Way To Warm Up To Spokane Charity Benefits From Sale Of Civic-Friendly Blanket
FOR THE RECORD (November 13, 1997): Wrong address: The location of the PEO’s Cottey College was incorrect in a story that ran in Sunday’s IN Life. The college is located in Nevada, Mo.
If you’ve ever felt the urge to see the Spokane River rushing over the falls or gaze at the intricate detail of a carved wooden horse on the Looff Carrousel but not wanted to leave the comfort of your living room, a local philanthropic group has the answer.
The BO Chapter of Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), an international group founded in 1869, has produced an afghan that features landmarks such as the Patsy Clark mansion, the Spokane Club, the Spokesman-Review building, the Clock Tower, and the Looff Carrousel, with the graceful arches of the Monroe Street bridge curving over the falls in the center of it all.
Members of the chapter started selling the cotton afghans as a fund-raiser just under two months ago and have already sold over 400.
In chosing the landmarks featured on the afghan, members took pictures of about 30 different places and buildings in Spokane and simply used the ones that turned out the best, says member Mary Boardman.
“We feel we have a good representation of Spokane, and we had fun doing it,” says Boardman.
After the photos were taken, members designed the afghan based on scenes in the photos and sent it off to be manufactured. The sale is ongoing, and chapter members are stocking up in anticipation of the Christmas gift-buying season.
Proceeds from the fund-raiser will be used to support the group’s philanthropic efforts, and there are many. The 250,000 PEO members in the United States and Canada own and operate Cottey College in Nevada, Miss. The two-year women’s college was established in 1884. There are 312 students currently enrolled in the college, including one Spokane native sponsored by the BO Chapter and 21 others from Washington state.
The PEO also manages a loan program, continuing education grants, grants for postgraduate students from foreign countries, and a graduate school scholarship based on academic achievements.
The chapter also makes donations to various local charities every year, says member Irene Carter. In the past members have brought food, clothing and household items to Anna Ogden Hall, a homeless shelter for women; held food drives for the Union Gospel Mission; and made donations to the Ronald McDonald House.
The BO chapter, one of 17 in Spokane, meets once or twice a month for lunch and to listen to a wide variety of speakers. Past programs have featured speakers from the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, Shriners Hospital, and Ogden Hall.
“We really find out a lot about our community,” says Boardman.
The afghans measure 50 inches by 65 inches, cost $40, and are available in cranberry, Williamsburg blue, and hunter green. To order, call Mary at 443-0658 or Irene at 535-6054.
ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo