WARSAW — A local woman is trying to give back this holiday season by starting a “Blankets of Love” drive for homeless people. Patrons can drop off new and gently used blankets at Dairy Queen on Winona Avenue and New Life Christian Church, Warsaw. An additional drop-off location can be found at Great Clips, 2548 Walton Blvd., Warsaw.

Blankets gathered in the drive will go toward the homeless in Detroit, Mich.

“I’ve gotta say, Warsaw and Kosciusko do a very good job of taking care of their own, which is awesome,” said Janelle Hall, who is heading up the outreach. “But Detroit is where God called me because there is such a great need there.”

Over 35,000 men and women are homeless in Detroit due to home foreclosure, loss of jobs, domestic violence and more. “Many think people are homeless because of addiction or wrong choices, but that is not always the case,” Hall said.

“My goal with ‘Blankets of Love is’ more than just providing a need for warmth. It’s to reach out to the hopeless and give them hope. To let them know there is a Savior who wants to and can change their lives around for the better, that he came to give life in abundance, so that we can have a life to thrive, not just survive,” Hall noted.