A blanket might sound like a simple Christmas gift, but for what it can provide to a small child — security, warmth, comfort and constancy — makes it invaluable, especially when the child is living in a difficult or unstable environment.
Bellefontaine native Robin Barton, who now resides in Hilliard, was inspired after hearing about the need for this gift from the Logan County Family Treatment Court for children of individuals in the program this year, so that the court can carry on a 15-year tradition of giving the youths blankets at Christmastime.
“For the children of the families we serve, the kids often have to move from house to house and through the foster care system and kinship care at times,” said Annette Deao, Logan County Family Treatment Court coordinator. “Having this blanket that they can easily pick up and take with them wherever they are staying provides that constancy and familiarity that is so appreciated by the kids. They love these blankets.”
Wednesday, Mrs. Barton and her husband, Greg, delivered a carload of 71 new blankets to the court donated by Mrs. Barton, along with her family and friends, and through discounts on the blankets provided by her employer, JCPenney at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. She said she will have additional blankets for the children as well in another trip to Bellefontaine.
“I reached out to Annette to ask how I can help, and she mentioned this blanket project for the children, and I just got so excited,” said Mrs. Barton, who also is involved in the Logan County Coalition for Opiate Relief Efforts and is a addiction recovery advocate on the state level.
“Every one of my friends that I asked about donating blankets said, ‘Absolutely.’ It’s been such a blessing to be able to do this. I had one friend who presented me with $100 for the project, and JCPenney gave me a really nice discount on the blankets at our store.”
The chance to reach out to families who are struggling with the issue of addiction is one that is very close to her heart, as she and her husband have helped her daughter, Bianca Dinovo, through her recovery from addictions to alcohol, narcotics, cocaine and heroin. She said in February, her daughter will celebrate six years “clean” and in recovery.
“If we could get people to understand that addiction truly is a disease, such as those that affect any part of the body, we would have more people reaching out. When my daughter was struggling with these addictions, she was very sick. She needed us and I needed to be there for her; she was still my daughter while all of this was happening.
“We will be having yet another celebration after Christmas this year in February when she reaches her six-year recovery mark. It hasn’t been easy, but she is sticking with it and she feels so much better; she’s on a healthy path now.”
To honor all of her daughter’s efforts, Mrs. Barton has joined Logan County CORE and also has been a passionate speaker at the Ohio Statehouse regarding various bills for recovery initiatives.
“I’m a part of CORE here locally, even through I now live in Columbus, as there is just so much need here. CORE has done amazing things in recent years and they have helped so many people.
“Robin is very articulate and a great writer, and she has been able to share at the state level her personal story to make such a difference,” Ms. Deao said.
Mrs. Barton also requested if she could be a part of the upcoming Christmas gathering for the treatment court families, where the children will receive their blankets.
“That would just be the icing on the cake for all of this, to be able to see their reactions,” she said.
“I’ve had young adults who have come to me now 10 years later to tell me they still have their blankets,” the coordinator said. “This really makes such an impact on them.”