CNGA blanket drive surpasses goal

The Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association's first service project, called 'Tree Wrap for the Homeless,' has finished up and provided blankets to six shelter organizations from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs. From early November through last week, ten member locations collected blankets from staff, customers and other members.  

Ben Northcutt, membership manager of CNGA, set a goal of 300 blankets for this first-time event. The final tally was a heartwarming 451 blankets delivered.

"We are very proud of the efforts everyone put forth to make this such a success," Northcutt said. "But more importantly, CNGA members have embraced the spirit of giving and helping those less fortunate and in great need."

CNGA delivered blankets to four organizations. In Denver, the Samaritan House and Denver Rescue Mission are both happy to receive and distribute the donated blankets. The other two participating organizations are the Fort Collins Rescue Mission and the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission.

This is the first time CNGA has attempted this type of service project, but Northcutt sees the possibility of a new annual tradition.

“We wanted something very simple but yet had some reach to it and a bit of an emotional hook,” he said “Our Outreach Committee said ‘Let’s give it a try, it doesn’t sound complicated.’”

Due to the success of the initial drive, Northcutt expects to plan a second in 2020. Learn more about Tree Wrap for the Homeless here. If you'd like to be involved in next year's blanket drive, reach out to him here.

“It’s simple and it’s something that the organizations that serve homeless people can use,” Northcutt said. “It’s going to a good cause, particularly at the holiday season when people are in the giving spirit.”