Jozell Rexroat’s love for sewing blankets started when she was a young teen. Inspired by her mother to help others, she would make simple blankets for young moms with new babies.
Jozell’s spirit of giving was instilled by her mother, who was an avid baker and would share her baked goods with many others.
30 years ago, lovingly folds each item for packaging.
“I witnessed my mother’s humility of giving through her talent of baking, and it was very inspirational in my formative years. After learning to sew, I wanted to share my passion like my mother did.
In 1994, Jozell took her passion to new heights.She started a service project called “Blankets of Hope” with St. Mary Catholic School of Lake Leelanau. Jozell, along with her veteran volunteer Shirley Garthe, who has been helping with the project since its inception, and St. Mary students and staff sewed blankets for children from underserved countries.
Now, 30 years later, more than 2,000 Blankets of Hope have traveled the world, bringing joy and hope to children in Guatemala, Malawi, Jamaica, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Appalachian region in the United States, Afghanistan, Mexico, Uganda, India and many other areas in need.
“We are all given a gift, and when we share it with the world, we are doing God’s work,” says Jozell as she reflects on the decades of sewing blankets.
“When God inspires you to act on your passion, you answer. Sewing blankets is a channel for me to deepen my relationship with God because I am doing his will in serving others.”
The Starfish Story
Jozell’s son Father Ben Rexroat compared Blankets of Hope to The Starfish Story that she often read to the family. The Starfish Story is a call to duty, knowing that each life you touch matters, even if it is only one.
“The Starfish Story reminds me that each blanket brings joy and hope to one person at a time,” shares Jozell. “One blanket at a time makes a difference and collectively the difference changes hearts.”
Jozell’s service-oriented mindset has influenced her five children, as each has worked on this project and still actively contribute as adults; her grandchildren are now also contributing to this effort. Jozell’s eldest daughter and graphic designer Sarah Morio, for instance, customized the tag of “Blankets of Hope,” which is stitched onto each blanket.
“My mother has always encouraged all of her children to give back their talents to the community and our faith. This service project is a powerful example of how present Christ is, when we do,” says Sarah.
“Young people are rarely asked to make something with their own hands for those in need. God is at work in an extraordinary way when the items we give are handmade. Every student or adult who has participated in this service project for the past 30 years has likely envisioned, even momentarily, the child or infant who would be kept warm by the blanket they were making,” Sarah continues.
Jozell’s partnership with St. Mary Catholic School of Lake Leelanau started when Father Ben and Sarah were young students. Since then, the religion students in middle and high schools have assisted with the service project.
Today, “Blankets of Hope” is a two-day celebration in conjunction with Valentine’s Day to manifest the love embodied in service from the heart.
“I love how our community gets to come together, and you get to learn skills you might not know while helping those in need,” offers Jessica Grant, a junior at St. Mary.
Fellow Junior Lizzie Leggett appreciates the fellowship of the two-day experience: “I love how we get to learn how to do something new and get to spend time with our community members.”
“The students are dedicated and focused to the mission and this work instills in them a lifelong willingness to assist all vulnerable or underserved populations,” explains Jozell.
Veteran volunteer Shirley Garthe articulates similar perspectives: “The students and volunteers have learned the importance of helping others who are less fortunate; I am grateful to God for all the helpers who have made Blankets of Hope such a success.”
Jozell is so encouraged to bring God’s loving joy and hope to others that eight years ago, she added girl’s dresses and boy’s britches to her list for the children of Africa. More recently, she added sanitary pads and underwear for the females in Africa. Jozell learned that when the young girls started menstruating, if they didn’t have the proper supplies, they would drop out of school, often due to embarrassment, which affected their literacy.
Modeling the Love of Christ
St. Mary theology teacher Mark Dunphey articulates the corporal works of mercy associated with Blankets of Hope: “As a teacher, we spend a lot of time talking about the corporal works of mercy, but because of the efforts of our community, St. Mary students get a chance to live them out which is always more impactful. I am grateful for the team of women who are doing the Lord’s work all while providing a beautiful example for the next generation.”
“Blankets of Hope gives students the opportunity of almsgiving, even if it is from afar,” says senior Amanda Tarsa. “It is a good feeling to know we are sharing the warmth and love of Christ with the people that reside closely to our Lord’s sacred heart, reminding them that he is taking care of them through us.”
“Trust in God and he will provide. I am so grateful for all those who have dedicated their time, talents and treasures throughout the years,” stresses Jozell. “In particular, I am so grateful for my husband, Doug Rexroat, who has been a tremendous asset to the life of this project.”
Mutually, the many volunteers appreciate Jozell and the ministry of serving others.
Volunteer Maureen Brolick offers, “I have been spiritually enriched by the dedication of the women who have sustained this ministry with their significant talents and 30 years of commitment. Equally uplifting are the willing, competent, happy and respectful St. Mary’s students. It is a joy to work side-by-side with them and it is their participation that enables the group to send such large numbers of blankets to those in need each year.
“I will never meet the recipients of the Blankets of Hope or of the Little Dresses for Africa, but I do have a spiritual and tactile bond with them. Beautiful things occur when we heed the Holy Spirit’s guidance,” Maureen adds.
Traveling the World
“The blankets bring such joy and hope to those who receive this simple item. It is God orchestrating everything from the donations of fabric to the creation of the blanket, and ensuring they get to their destinations,” reflects Jozell. “[It’s] such a simple gift, but it delivers such profound joy,” she adds.
God’s manifestation of love and humility are embodied in Jozell’s dedication to serve the underserved. She draws from the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta and her service to the poor throughout India as a model of humility.
“I take no credit for all that has been accomplished. The Holy Spirit guides me each year as I work on this project. He brings me the materials of need and the workers to accomplish his work.”
God’s guidance has led to more than 100 volunteers throughout the decades, the eldest being 95, and ecumenical support from numerous diocesan parishes and Zion Lutheran Church.
At the Feb. 13, 2024, celebration, Bishop Jeffrey Walsh led a blessing ceremony with Father Benjamin Martin, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church of Lake Leelanau, before the blankets and dresses were packaged and disseminated.
“I am inspired and grateful for the support,” reflects Jozell. “Each year, God brings this service to fruition, and may each recipient of these services experience God in a deeper, loving manner.”
“If you are inspired to start or partner with a specific ministry, do not hesitate. Give yourself to our Lord and his graces will offer fruitful outcomes,” says Jozell in offering inspiration for others.
Her daughter Sarah concludes: “Blankets of Hope is not only about providing warmth to those in need, but it is also about instilling hope in our students, community and our own families. This project consistently demonstrates that Christ has called us to share our talents and that he always multiplies them in ways we can never imagine if we entrust the work to his hands.”
